Editing Limassol (section)

== Culture ==

=== Festivals ===
[[File:Reflect Festival 2023, Molos Exhibition.png|right|thumb|Reflect Festival 2023 stands at [[Limassol Molos]]]]
[[File:Carnival in Limassol 2014 (12887507525).jpg|thumb|Costumes in the 2014 [[Limassol Carnival Festival|Limassol Carnival]]]]
Limassol is renowned in Cyprus for its vibrant festivals, most notably the [[Limassol Carnival Festival|Carnival]] and [[Wine Festival of Cyprus|Wine Festival]]. The Limassol Carnival, a ten-day event filled with joyful and amusing masquerades, has ancient roots tracing back to [[Paganism|pagan]] rituals. Over time, it has evolved into a purely entertaining spectacle with widespread popularity. The festivities kick off with the entrance parade of the King (or Queen) Carnival, followed by a children’s [[Costume party|fancy-dress]] competition. The Grand Carnival parade on [[Makariou Avenue, Limassol|Makariou Avenue]] attracts large crowds from across the island, who come to watch the floats, [[serenade]]s, and various masqueraded groups. Each night, numerous hotels host fancy-dress balls and parties.'''''<ref name="CyprusEvents">{{cite web |last=CyprusEvents.net |year=2011 |title=Limassol events |url=http://www.cyprusevents.net/annual/limassol-events |access-date=5 July 2011 |work=cyprusevents.net}}</ref>'''''

In early October, the grand [[Wine Festival of Cyprus]] takes place in the [[Limassol Public Gardens]], running every evening from 08:00 to 23:00. During this festival, visitors can sample some of the finest Cypriot wines free of charge. The event also features [[Folk dance|folk dancing]] performances by groups from Cyprus and abroad, as well as choir performances and other entertainment.'''''<ref name="CyprusEvents" />'''''

Other notable festivals in Limassol include the [https://www.limassoltourism.com/en/things-to-do/activities/festival-events/street-life-festival Limassol Street Life Festival] and the [https://www.limassol.org.cy/en/Anthestiria Flower Festival (Anthestiria)] in May, the [https://www.limassol.org.cy/en/Kataklismos#:~:text=Kataklysmos%20%28Flood%20Festival%29%20Kataklysmos%20is%20a%20water-based%20festival,in%20honour%20of%20the%20goddess%20Aphrodite%20and%20Adonis. Flood Festival (Kataklysmos)] and [https://www.limassoltourism.com/en/things-to-do/activities/festival-events/shakespeare-festival Shakespeare Festival] in June, and the [[International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama, Cyprus|Festival of Ancient Greek Drama]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Limassol's Must-See Events and Festivals - Limassol Tourism Board |url=https://www.limassoltourism.com/en/things-to-do/activities/festival-events/ |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=www.limassoltourism.com}}</ref>

Additionally, Limassol introduced its first [[Beer festival|Beer Festival]] in July 2003. This three-day seaside dance festival in the city center offers a variety of Cypriot and imported beers. The festival is free to enter, with beers sold at low prices and a mix of international music providing the soundtrack.'''''<ref>{{cite web |title=Limassol Festivals – Limassol Annual Events. |url=http://www.Limassol.com/v/festivals/ |work=limassol.com}}</ref>'''''

Limassol also hosted the sixth [[Junior Eurovision Song Contest]] at the [[Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Center|Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Centre]].'''''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Junior Eurovision 2008 |url=https://eurovisionworld.com/junior-eurovision/2008 |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=Eurovisionworld |language=en-gb}}</ref>'''''

=== Sports ===
[[File:Queue of participants at the starting line of the Limassol Marathon 2024.jpg|thumb|Queue of participants at the starting line of the 2024 [[Limassol Marathon]] at [[Limassol Molos]] ]]The [[Alphamega Stadium]], also known as the Limassol Stadium, is the second largest football only stadium on the island. With a capacity of 11.000, it is the home base of the city’s three major football clubs in the city, [[AEL Limassol|AEL FC]], [[Apollon Limassol FC|Apollon FC]] and [[Aris Limassol FC|Aris FC]]. The two former ones are the largest sport clubs in Limassol, which have [[Association football|football]], [[basketball]], and [[volleyball]] teams, as well as other sports. In football, all three teams play in the [[Cypriot First Division|First Division]]. [[AEL Limassol|AEL FC]] and [[Aris Limassol FC|Aris FC]] were two of the eight founding members of the [[Cyprus Football Association|Cyprus Football Association (CFA)]]. There are also many other teams in [[sport of athletics|athletics]], [[bowling]], [[cycle sport|cycling]], and other sports.

The [[Tsirio Stadium]] with a capacity of 13.331, was the home base of the three aforementioned football teams of Limassol as well as the [[Cyprus national football team]] in the past. It is also used for athletics. Other than the two previously mentioned stadiums, many others also exist in the city.

The Apollon Limassol Basketball Stadium, hosted the 2003 [[International Basketball Federation|FIBA]] Europe South Regional Challenge Cup Final Four. The [[Apollon Limassol B.C.|Apollon BC]] and the [[AEL Limassol B.C.|AEL BC]] competed, with the latter becoming the first Cypriot sport team to win a European Trophy. In 2006, Limassol hosted the [[FIBA Europe]] [[All-star game|All Star Game]] in [[Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Center|Spyros Kiprianou Sports Centre]], as it had the year before. [[Cyprus Rally|The Cyprus Rally]] which was hosted for the [[World Rally Championship]] and the [[Intercontinental Rally Challenge]] were both hosted in the Limassol district. In 2025, Limassol will host the [[EuroBasket 2025|EuroBasket]].

The [[Limassol Marathon]] is part of an annual race series which takes place in Limassol. It was first run in 2006 and is still organised to this day. 2024 was a key year for the marathon since the participation record was broken with over 17.000 runners from more than 70 countries around the world participating.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2024-06-24 |title=More than 17,000 participants at Limassol marathon |url=https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/more-than-17000-participants-at-limassol-marathon/ |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=in-cyprus.philenews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> There are various races including a marathon, a half marathon, a {{convert|10|km|adj=on|abbr=off}} Energy Race, a {{convert|5|km|adj=on|abbr=off}} Corporate Race and a {{convert|1|km|adj=on|abbr=off}} Youth Race.

Limassol also has an independent civilian [[rugby union]] team, the [[Limassol Crusaders]], who play at the AEK Achileas Stadium and participate in the Joint Services Rugby League. There is a professional [[handball]] team, [[APEN Agiou Athanasiou]].

Rowing and canoeing are rapidly becoming very popular in Limassol,{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} due to the three nautical clubs in the city of Limassol. The [[Germasogeia|Germasoyia]] dam is the place for both practising and competitions.