Cypriots are preparing for a mass excursion into the countryside today, Clean Monday, observing the custom of fasting as well as celebration, a day named so because the Christians were “cleansed” spiritually and physically. It is a fast day, but it is also a holiday for Christians and is celebrated 48 days before Easter Sunday.
Maundy Monday for most people means a trip to the fields to “cut off the Lenten mutt”, in the mountains, even by the seaside, it means games, but also fragrant pretzels, molluscs and other delicacies.
It is accompanied by various customs, sometimes by dance and song, but one stands out, the kite flying. Sometimes improvised, mostly factory. In order for the kite to be lifted, a favorable wind is needed, although in some areas, adjacent to Larnaca airport, a recommendation was issued to avoid them.
Municipalities and communities in all provinces are organizing various events today, offering food, from bean salad to laganas, but also wine and even… fukoudas for baking. Most of them accompany the events with dances and music.
The… price for the Clean Monday table
The Clean Monday table for all products of the retail price comparison table of basic goods prices for 2024, compared to the years 2023 and 2022, according to the main conclusion of the Cyprus Consumers Association, is cheaper. In vegetables, fruits and halva. If the choice is salads, olives, seafood, tahino pies, laganas and other baked goods, this will be accompanied by an increase. If wine is added, the cost goes up.
In a statement issued by the Association on Thursday, March 14, it noted that vegetable and fruit prices are down in 2024 by an average of 20.53% compared to 2023, while halvah prices are down 7.22%.
In contrast, prices for salads, olives and seafood recorded an increase of 2.84%, 3.79% and 1.40%, respectively.
Bakery and wine prices also increased by 0.49% and 4.48%, respectively, while charcoal prices decreased by an average of 6.46%.
The prices listed were taken from the Link, from the Department of Energy's Consumer Protection Agency's seasonal price observatories.
Weather
Dust and cloudy. That's how the day started, but during the midday hours and beyond, according to the Department of Meteorology, the weather will not be kind to the outdoorsmen. Local rains are expected, but also isolated storms, especially in the mountains and in the eastern half of the island. In a storm, hail may also fall.
Winds will be mainly northwest to northeast and locally south, southwest, light to moderate and moderately moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort. The sea will generally be a bit rough. The temperature will rise to around 21 degrees in the interior and on the coasts and to 9 degrees in the higher mountains.
Source: KYPE
