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Green Monday 2025: Cyprus Embraces Tradition And Renewal

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 28, 2025

Green Monday marks a turning point in Cyprus as the island gears up for the beginning of Lent on March 3, 2025. This cherished day—akin to Greece’s Clean Monday—ushers in a season of fasting, reflection, and cultural celebration, where locals renew their spirits and connect with centuries-old traditions.

A Time-Honored Ritual Reinvented

Historically, Green Monday signaled the end of Carnival and the start of Lent, a period steeped in spiritual purification. Today, Cypriots observe this day by abstaining from food, drink, and other indulgences from dawn until sunset. It’s a call for inner cleansing, prompting believers to enter Lent with a pure heart and clear intentions. Traditional practices, such as the preparation of ‘lagana’—a special type of unleavened bread with ancient biblical roots—underscore the day’s significance.

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Traditions That Define A Culture

On Green Monday, the atmosphere transforms as communities gather for picnics and prayer, and children take to the skies with kites—a time-honored symbol of letting go and starting afresh. Families often venture into the countryside to savor the fresh air and partake in outdoor activities, while the creation of ‘Lady Lent’ (Kyra Sarakosti) by children adds a playful touch to the solemnity of the day.

Traditional culinary delights also take center stage. Signature dishes such as octopus prepared in white sauce (‘Xtapodi Krasato’), tarama salad, semolina pudding, and ‘Mydopilafo’ reflect the region’s rich gastronomic heritage, reserved exclusively for this special occasion.

A Brief Historical Snapshot

Green Monday’s roots run deep. As early as the 4th century, Christians embraced fasting, and by the 5th to 12th centuries, evolving religious practices allowed for a midday break in the fast. Despite the passage of time—and even amidst modern challenges such as recent violent events—the spirit of Green Monday remains unbroken, serving as a reminder of both renewal and resilience.

Observing Green Monday In Cyprus

For those wishing to immerse themselves in this unique celebration, consider joining the locals in simple yet profound traditions:

Fly Kites: Ascend to a high vantage point or head to open fields with friends and family to watch colorful kites dance across the sky.
Embrace Nature: Take a leisurely trip to the countryside, pack a picnic, and let the fresh air rejuvenate your senses.
Craft ‘Lady Lent’: Engage with local customs by creating Kyra Sarakosti, a unique doll fashioned from dough or cardboard. Notably, Kyra is designed without a mouth or ears and features seven legs. Each week until Easter, children ceremoniously trim one of her legs, symbolizing the passage of time and the spirit of renewal.

A Day of Renewal And Joy

Green Monday in Cyprus is more than a day of fasting—it’s a celebration of renewal, community, and the enduring power of tradition. As families gather to share meals, exchange stories, and participate in communal activities, the day reinforces a collective commitment to spiritual and cultural well-being.

For visitors, embracing these customs offers a window into the heart of Cypriot life—a vibrant blend of solemnity and celebration that marks the beginning of an auspicious season. Happy Green Monday, and may it bring a fresh start filled with peace and purpose.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

€50 Million Luxury Resort Planned For Ayia Napa

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 22, 2026

Ayia Napa could strengthen its position in the premium tourism market with a proposed €50 million mixed-use resort combining a hotel, serviced apartments, luxury bungalows and a beach club.

Aesara Investments Ltd has submitted an information form to the Department of Environment for a development to operate under the name Atlantica Wavemaster Hospitality. The project is planned for the Limnara area of Ayia Napa, along the coast south of Kryou Nerou Avenue, between the town centre and Cape Greco.

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Hotel, Apartments And Luxury Bungalows

The proposed resort will include a 324-room hotel with capacity for 648 guests, alongside a condo-hotel building containing 20 one- and two-bedroom apartments. Facilities are planned to include restaurants, bars, cafés, a spa with an indoor pool, a gym, shops, a multipurpose hall, a children’s club and a cinema.

A further 33 three-level luxury bungalows, each designed for two guests and featuring a private swimming pool, are planned for the southern part of the site. A beach club with a restaurant and an outdoor pool complex covering more than 6,300 square metres will also form part of the development.

The project includes 321 parking spaces, including 12 for people with disabilities, and 14,196 square metres of landscaped green space featuring local plant species.

Seasonal Hotel Operations And Year-Round Residences

The hotel is expected to operate from March to November, with peak occupancy during the summer season. The condo-hotel apartments, meanwhile, will be available for sale or long-term rental and intended for year-round residence. Owners and tenants will also have access to the resort’s facilities, including its pools, restaurants and fitness areas.

Construction is expected to take 24 months once the required permits are secured. At the busiest stage, the project could employ around 100 workers per day.

Environmental Restrictions Near Cape Greco

The site’s proximity to protected Natura 2000 areas has prompted strict environmental requirements. The Cape Greco Special Protection Area borders the site to the south, while a Special Area of Conservation lies approximately 50 metres away.

Conditions imposed by the Department of Environment include a maximum building height of five floors, or 18.5 metres, and restrictions on permanent structures near the coastline. The project must also use spider-web type glazing and low-intensity lighting to minimise disturbance to local birdlife.

According to the project’s consultants, the design has been prepared to comply with the environmental conditions and the final report on cumulative impacts for the Cape Greco Special Protection Area. The hotel and apartment building are positioned in the central and northern parts of the plot, away from the shoreline.

Within the designated no-build zone, located 40 metres from the boundary of the beach protection zone, only swimming pools are planned. The consultants state that these are not expected to affect protected species in the area.