Coming from a small town in Southern Italy, the traditions – of any culture – always manage to bring me home wherever I am.
I have been in Cyprus for almost two months and I’m beginning to feel homesick, so I was genuinely enthusiastic when my colleagues started talking about a local festivity that brings friends and family with celebrations, music and above all good food.
“Tsiknopempti” is composed of the Greek words “tsíkna” which literally means ‘the smell of roasting meat’ and Pémpti, ‘Thursday’, therefore is usually translated in English with Charred Thursday or Smoky Thursday.
Every year Cypriots and Greeks gather in the streets and squares of their cities and roast all the most famous and appreciated here types of meat. Tsiknopempti is in fact the most important moment of the “Meat Week” (in Greek “Kreatiní“), the central week of the Greek Carnival (“Apókries“). According to the tradition of the Greek Orthodox Church, in fact, the Carnival celebrations consist of three different weeks: a first Prophoní (‘Preannouncement Week’), Kreatiní, and finally the ‘Cheese Week’ or Tiriní. This year Tsiknopempti falls on the 16th of February, 11 days before the “Clean Monday”.
Basically, it is one of the last occasions to enjoy meat dishes such as souvlaki, sheftalies, kokoretsi, kontosouvli and all other Greek specialties, before the 40 days of fasting and penance that characterize Lent. Also for this reason, the festivity falls on Thursday: according to tradition, in fact, Wednesday and Friday are usually the days reserved for fasting.
Although the feast is associated with the Christian religion, its origins can be traced back to ancient Greece, when at this time of year, they were used to gather together to grill and cook outdoors, convinced that the good smell would’ve attracted the Gods and therefore brought good luck for the following spring.
Today Tsiknopempti is still a special time for Cypriots and Greeks, several events are organized in the cities and restaurants and taverns offer special menus. The smell of barbecue, the rivers of local wine, the music and the joy of this festival are overwhelming and exciting.
To conclude, Cyprus is famous all over the world for its wonderful sea and therefore summer seems the best time to come to appreciate the island, but it has so much more to offer. So do not waste time, next year escape the cold of the European winter and come to enjoy a unique moment like the Tsiknopempti!
