Popular Bank gets support from State

The House of Representatives late last night approved legislation providing for state support to the island’s second largest lender. The item was passed with 43 votes for, none against, and three abstentions.
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Popular Bank seeking state aid

THE Popular Bank said yesterday it was in talks with the finance ministry and the Central Bank about state guarantees to raise fresh capital after being battered by the Greek debt write-down.
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15 firms to bid for gas drilling rights off Cyprus

Major oil and gas companies such as Russia’s Novatec, Italy’s ENI, France’s Total, and Malaysia’s Petronas are among 15 firms and consortiums that are seeking to carry out exploratory drilling for gas deposits off southern Cyprus, the island’s commerce minister said Friday, despite Turkey’s strong objections.
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Cyprus news

Cyprus events after summer 2011

Limassol Wine Festival
August - September 2011 (various dates)

Limassol, Cyprus’ wine-growing capital, celebrates the country’s rich viticulture with the annual grape harvest festival. Scores of the island’s wineries and vineyards converge on the town’s stately Municipal Gardens to share some of the fruits of their labours.
Tasters take the opportunity to tuck into some of the island’s gastronomic specialities alongside Muscats, pine-flavoured Retsinas - and not to forget some of the island’s renowned dessert wine, Commanderia - all against the backdrop of music and dancing at the Gardens’ open-air theatre.

Cyprus has been making wine for about 6000 years (from 4500-3900 BC), so Cypriots have had considerable practice with the harvest celebrations. One of the most commanding spectacles of this annual event is to witness the traditional pressing of the grapes that signals the beginning of the festivities.

Greek National Day in Cyprus
28th October 2011

Greek National Day has great significance in Cyprus and Greece as it marks the day when Greece said ’ochi’ (no) to Mussolini in 1940 denying Italian forces to cross Greece during World War 2.

The day is honoured with school pupils and Cypriot and Greek War Veterans carrying national flags through the streets of Cyprus.
Schools, offices and most businesses are closed for the public holiday.

Christmas and New Year festivities in Cyprus
24th -25th December 2011

There’s plenty to do whether you like going to watch a show, attending Christmas dinner parties and entertainment evenings or moseying around the Cyprus Christmas markets.