Thalassa 2023 festival: A fun celebration of Cyprus’ marine culture

The 3rd Thalassa Festival takes place this weekend in Limassol, with a number of exciting events planned to help promote the island’s marine culture.

During the festival, which will be inaugurated by President Nikos Christodoulides, visitors will get the chance to see vessels from the Navy, Port and Marine Police, Department of Fisheries and Marine Research as well as the tugboat of VTS Vasiliko Terminal up close, as they will be parked at the Limassol pier.

Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanoli said the actual date of the festival – co-organised by the deputy ministry and Municipality of Limassol – was by no means a coincidence, given that International Women’s Day in Shipping is celebrated on 18 May and European Maritime Day on 20 May.

Addressing a press conference, Hadjimanoli thanked the 37 organisations taking part and said the aim was to cultivate maritime and marine culture in society, and promote the sea as a way of life, entertainment, sports, choice of studies and professions.

Limassol Mayor Nicos Nicolaides said the municipality had a 4,000-year-old relationship with the sea, which has shaped the city, its identity, culture, economy, growth and people. To this end, he added, Thalassa Festival helps shape policies and actions that will help keep this history alive.

President Christodoulides is expected to inaugurate the municipality’s Innovation Centre during the festival, which has been selected as one of the 100 European Mission Cities aiming to become climate neutral and smart cities by 2030.

And now for the fun part: there will be five free 40-minute cruises, in collaboration with Relax Cruises, starting from the Old Port, with the first one starting at 2pm and the last one at 6pm. At 4pm there will be three Jet ski races by the Limassol Jet Ski Club and a Fly board demonstration.

There will also be a stilt walker to entertain young children, while children’s activities will be held at certain times.

The festival will wrap with a concert by Kostas Makedonas at the Old Port Square at 8.30 pm.