Newsroom
As Cyprus heads into the long Kataklysmos weekend, a time usually marked by beach outings, fairs, and plenty of playful splashing, Agriculture Minister Maria Panagiotou has a firm message: it’s time to put an end to water fights.
Speaking on Sigma’s “Proto Selida” program, the minister didn’t mince words. “The tradition of throwing water needs to stop,” she said. “It’s wasteful. Even small water pistols shouldn’t be used.”
Her warning comes just as Cypriots gear up to celebrate the Festival of the Flood, one of the island’s most cherished public holidays. Rooted in both Christian and pagan traditions, Kataklysmos, which literally means “flood”, involves everything from seaside games to dousing friends and family in water. But this year, amid growing concerns over water shortages, the age-old tradition is under fire.
With reservoirs running low and the hot summer still ahead, the government has been sounding the alarm. Local authorities have been asked to spread the word: cut back on water use and cancel water-based celebrations.
“People still don’t realize how serious the situation is,” Panagiotou said. “In a country that faces drought regularly, water awareness should be part of everyday life.”
Some argue that playful squirts from a toy water gun don’t hurt. Panagiotou doesn’t agree. “Not even that,” she insisted. “It sends the wrong message, that wasting water, even for fun, is acceptable. It isn’t.”
The minister also responded to public frustration over water cuts and restrictions. Some households have complained they don’t even have enough water to clean properly.
“Cleanliness is one thing, and of course it's important,” she said. “But let’s not confuse basic hygiene with wasting water just for the sake of tradition or entertainment.”
For Panagiotou, this is about more than just cancelling one weekend’s fun; it’s about changing how we think about a vital resource.
“This isn’t just about one holiday,” she said. “It’s about building a culture of respect for water, something we should’ve done long ago.”
