December 2006 Newsletter:
2nd Cyprus International Film Festival
The Cyprus International Film Festival CIFF - Cyprus is the fruit of collaboration of some very dedicated people -- event organisers, film producers, cinema experts, multimedia specialists, who have been working on this project since 2001. After the huge success of the first year, the second CIFF is going to take place in Limassol, Larnaca and Nicosia from April 12 to 19, 2007. The Hub of the Cyprus Film Festival will be at the K-CINEPLEX in Nicosia.
Concept and Awards
CIFF offers to new directors from all over the world the opportunity to present their work in front of a VIP jury committee from the international film industry and sector.
The Festival also aims to make Cyprus an international meeting point for film production and film-making, to promote Cyprus films abroad, to develop the opportunity of cooperation with the local production companies and to create special tourist interest during the “off season”.
The 1st CIFF started vigorously with the presentation of more than 130 films selected from over than 40 countries. The fact that from the very beginning CIFF got more than 400 film submissions from 43 countries, 10 satellite events in three cities, more than 100 visitors and guests from abroad came to attend the Festival and were accredited to participate in various Festival’s satellite activities and events, around 300 guests attended the Opening Ceremony, more than 400 persons were present in the Closing Ceremony, all these consist a very good sign that this event is welcomed and missing from Cyprus and a proof for the potential and the long-term preparation by the founders. The participants sent congratulating letters and they expressed their wish to come again next year and some of them investigated seriously film shooting opportunities in Cyprus.
All filmmakers interested can participate with feature, short or documentary films, as well as with music or commercial videos. The various programmes of the festival will include cult-midinight movies, tributes to contemporary French cinematography, the Panorama as well as screenings of films by awarded Cypriot directors
For more information please visit www.ciff2006.com
Cyprus Winter Delights
This is the right time that you can start organizing your trip to Cyprus and your participation at the Christmas and New Year festivities, held all around the country and familiarize yourself with the traditions and festivities customs of the island. Cyprus celebrates festivities with a special month of events - including Christmas tree lighting in each town, carols, Father Christmas trains and other entertainment activities in the shopping areas and plenty of markets for shopping and eating. The Festive Events in Cyprus starts in December and includes concerts and ballets, with production of fantastic dance and music. Children’s Choir are giving concerts of traditional Cypriot carols in shopping areas and fill the space with the sounds of music written in celebration of Christmas, New Years and the Day of the Lights. Many, many decades ago, Christmas trees were unheard of in Cyprus. Now all big towns boast their squares with outdoor Christmas tree, constructed of thousands of lights and Christmas decoration of their streets
We celebrate Christmas with a lot of tasteful food and sweets such as Stuffed turkey, Souvla (lamp on charcoal, Cyprus traditional food), Christmas Cake decorated with various Christmas decorations (Christmas tree, Santa Claus, sleigh etc), Melomakarona (Cyprus cookies), Kourambiedes (Greek cookies) and Vasilopitta (the cake of Ayios Vassilis/ or Santa Claus cake). Special bread, Christopsomo, is made and when the housewives take fresh bread out of the oven, they have the custom of giving a piece to passers-by.
Kourabiedes - Almond Cookies (Festive Cookies)
1 ½ glasses vegetable shortening
½ glass oil
6 tablespoons icing sugar
¼ glass rose water
1-2 glasses almonds blanched, roasted and cut into small pieces
5 glasses self-raising flour
Icing sugar to coat cream the shortening until light and fluffy.
Beat in the oil, icing sugar, brandy and rose water. Add by hand half of the flour, the almonds and then add the remaining flour, or as much as needed, to make a fluffy dough. Give the Kourampiedes the shape you prefer. Place them on an ungreased baking tray and bake in a preheated, cool oven (140oC) for 30 minutes or until their bottom, side is golden brown. As soon as they are baked, remove from oven, and lift off. After 10 - 15 minutes and while they are still warm, coat them in icing sugar.
