About the festival
The community of Simou in the Paphos district is setting a grand table in the village square, inviting us to the first Simou AgroFest on Saturday, September 12. This all-day celebration of agricultural production, gastronomy, tradition, and culture will begin at 11:00 AM and continue until 7:00 PM.
For eight hours, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to discover the region's agricultural richness, meet local producers and artisans, and taste authentic Cypriot delicacies. The festival, however, is not limited to a simple product exhibition. Its program includes experiential workshops, traditional agricultural demonstrations, exhibitions, music, dance, and activities for children, transforming Simou square into a vibrant open-air workshop of Cypriot tradition.
Kneading, Baking, and Discovering Local Flavors
The official opening will take place at 11:00 AM, and at the same time, live coverage of the festival will begin from radio station Zenith FM, lasting until 1:00 PM.
The first young visitors will immediately get into the action. From 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Giorgoulla Christodoulou's Traditional Workshop will present the experiential workshop 'Kneading and Baking Koulourakia'. Children will learn firsthand the process of making them and will be treated to the koulourakia they have prepared at the end.
At 12:00 PM, traditional agricultural demonstrations will follow, featuring wheat threshing and grinding. Two activities inextricably linked to the daily life of old Cypriot rural areas will come alive again before the public, recalling the journey of wheat before it reaches the family table.
Trachanas, Halloumi, Anari, and Palouzes
Experiential gastronomic workshops hold a significant place in the program, through which visitors will learn about traditional techniques and products of Cypriot cuisine.
From 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Alineri Dairy will present the process of making and cutting trachanas, offering a related treat at the end. At 4:00 PM, a workshop on making halloumi and anari will follow from the same dairy, with attendees having the opportunity to taste these two beloved Cypriot cheeses.
At 5:00 PM, it will be palouzes' turn. Visitors will watch the preparation of this traditional delicacy from grape juice and enjoy freshly made palouzes.
This beautiful celebration will also feature the on-site preparation of kattimerka, bringing the aromas and deliciousness of a recipe deeply connected to Cypriot tradition to Simou square.
Music, Dance, and Children's Activities
Following greetings from the President of the Community Council and the President of the Cultural Group of Simou Expatriates and Friends, which will take place at 1:15 PM, the program will continue with traditional dances from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM.
From 3:00 PM until the end of the festival, Stefanos Pelekanis and his five-member musical ensemble will take over the entertainment, presenting a program of traditional and beloved music.
A specially designed corner with painting and games for children will operate from 1:45 PM to 3:45 PM. Throughout the day, there will also be train and horse rides, while farm animals and educational exhibits will be present on site.
Exhibitions, Old Photographs, and Traditional Crafts
From 11:15 AM to 7:00 PM, an exhibition of agricultural products and handicrafts will be open, while from 11:30 AM, a painting and photography exhibition will also be open. Concurrently, old photographs of Simou will narrate moments from the life, work, and customs of the village residents.
Traditional agricultural tools will be exhibited on site, and organized tours of the community will take place. Visitors can also watch demonstrations of sarkas tying, basket weaving, komboloi making, pithkiavli (flute) making from reeds, and weaving with the voufa (loom) and smili (shuttle).
Producer stalls, handicrafts, traditional delicacies, and a variety of food and drink will complete the experience throughout the festival. The curtain on the first Simou AgroFest will fall with the closing ceremony, scheduled for 6:45 PM.
Detailed Program
11:00 AM: Official Opening
11:00 AM-1:00 PM: Live coverage by Zenith FM
11:00 AM-12:00 PM: Children's experiential workshop 'Kneading and Baking Koulourakia'
11:15 AM-7:00 PM: Exhibition of agricultural products and handicrafts
11:30 AM-7:00 PM: Painting and photography exhibition
12:00 PM-1:00 PM: Wheat threshing and grinding
1:15 PM-1:30 PM: Official greetings
1:30 PM-2:00 PM: Traditional dances
1:45 PM-3:45 PM: Children's corner with painting and games
2:00 PM-3:00 PM: Trachanas preparation and cutting
3:00 PM-7:00 PM: Live music with Stefanos Pelekanis
4:00 PM-5:00 PM: Halloumi and Anari preparation
5:00 PM-6:00 PM: Palouzes preparation
6:45 PM-7:00 PM: Closing ceremony
INFO: Saturday, September 12, 2026, Simou Square, Paphos district, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM.