Ahhh That Aroma
September is about to smell very, very good, coz there are some things in Cyprus that simply don’t need much convincing. The Sunshine, a village panigyri, aka a festival, a plate of Cyprus potatoes that have spent several hours soaking up all those delicious lamb juices … and, of course, the kleftiko.
Go Hungry
So, if you’re the sort of person who considers “I’m not really hungry” merely an opening negotiating position, make a note of Friday, September 4th, because Meneou is getting ready for its 9th Meneou Kleftiko Festival.
Authentic Cuisine
The kleftiko is traditionally slow-cooked for over 6 hours, until the meat becomes wonderfully tender, literally falling off the bone, allowing all those herbs, juices and flavours to work their magic. And at a festival dedicated to the dish, you can expect plenty of it … In fact, the best advice may be to arrive hungry … Very hungry!
Slow Cooked
The star of the evening will, of course, be the food. As we Cypriots live for the table. Festival-goers will be served traditional slow-cooked kleftiko, accompanied by oven-baked potatoes, bulgur wheat, salad and more, the sort of dinner that makes the idea of counting calories seem particularly inappropriate.
Location Location
Taking place at the Asteras Meneou House from 8 pm, the annual celebration puts one of Cyprus’ most beloved traditional dishes firmly centre stage, and, frankly, we wouldn’t expect anything less.
Much More
And then there’s the music … Of course, a proper Cypriot festival isn’t simply about sitting down, eating and going home. There will be live entertainment throughout the evening, with performances from Michalis Leventis, Koulla Andreou and Skevi Andreou.
Festive Spirit
So expect plenty of Greek and Cypriot sounds, plenty of atmosphere and, quite possibly, that familiar moment when someone at your table says, “Come on, just one dance” … Before long, half the crowd is up dancing, and we all know how that one ends, with a smashing time had by all …
Kids & Grown-Ups
Little festival-goers are catered for too, so the evening isn’t just for the grown-ups. A dedicated children’s corner will be available, including a bouncy castle and other activities, giving younger visitors something to do while their parents concentrate on the considerably more serious business of dinner.
Dinner’s a Must!
Entry is €22, and that includes a plate of traditional kleftiko, so you’re not merely buying your way into a festival; you’re effectively securing dinner and an evening of entertainment in one go.
When & Where
September in Cyprus may signal that summer is slowly edging towards its final chapter, but there’s no reason for the good times to finish just yet. The 9th Meneou Kleftiko Festival takes place on Friday, September 4, at Asteras Meneou House, beginning at 8 pm … And if you’ve never been to one of Meneou’s kleftiko celebrations before, this sounds like a particularly good year to change that.
Shepherds Delight
The word Kleftiko stems back to when shepherds would dig a hole in the ground, light the charcoal, wait for it to become embers, and place a stolen lamb or goat in, cover it with earth and let it cook in the embers for at least 6 hours … For more ‘What Am I Eating’ dishes, Click Here
Round Up
There will be music, there’ll be dancing, there’ll be children bouncing around, there’ll be plates of food arriving at tables … And somewhere in Meneou, there will be clay-sealed clay ovens quietly doing what Cypriot clay ovens do best, for literally hundreds of years … Making Kleftiko … We’ll see you there – preferably with an appetite.
Come for the Kleftiko,
Stay for the Party!
More …
