In Rio de Janeiro , in southern Brazil, and in general throughout the country, in January and February there is a festive atmosphere in advance for the next celebration of one of the most important events of This South American country: the carnival.Are you coming?
History of a tradition
Carnival is a date of Catholic origin, especially , and its end (Shrove Tuesday) marks the beginning of Lent , starting on Ash Wednesday.Spanish and Portuguese navigators and settlers took the holiday to these American lands, where they mixed with the Black and indigenous slaves.In this way it acquired its special character.
It is associated with street parties, float parades, costumes, dances and excesses in general.
Although its origin is festive, in Brazil (as well as in Venezuela) it is customary to play watering each other to purify the body.This comes from a type of carnival called in Latin introito (entry) and entrudo in Portuguese.
In Brazil it was banned in the middle of the nineteenth century (without much success) for being considered something extremely violent and, according to some records, there were people who died from infections and other evils because they threw water and rotten fruits.
Agenda Rio
The carnival is held from Friday until Wednesday.Of course, the biggest attraction is the Samba Parade in the Sambodromo , a stadium designed by the great architect Oscar Niemeyer and in which 70,000 people gather every year.
The preparations for this event last all year, from the end of the carnival until the next one begins.
The organizations that work on this they call blocos or cordões (they are actually samba schools) that are in charge of the parades of each of these groups to which they belong.The costs can become astronomical and accept donations and financing from companies and even countries accordingly (a few years ago the Venezuelan government financed the parade of a float in the Sambodromo).
These schools are of great importance in Brazil, the most notable being those They are located in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Recife and Salvador de Bahia .
In addition to the Sambodromo, you can enjoy many street parties, dancing me other events that happen during these days.
The Sambodromo and its entrances
There are four types , for all tastes and budgets: the stands , which are the most economical, where you sit on cement benches.The area of assigned chairs, which have numbered seats; open boxes offer 6 seats and coffee table; and the luxury suites (the most expensive) have room for groups of at least 12 people.Here is included buffet dinner, drinks, security service and even own waiter, to enjoy with all of the law.
Rio de Janeiro becomes during the carnival a place where everything is allowed, madness takes possession of people and a truly amazing experience is lived.
Both floats and costumes are works of art that walk through its wide streets and the Sambodromo, where in the end you choose the best and most colorful costumes.
Going to the Rio Carnival means knowing an important part of the Brazilian culture.
Do you want to know other places where parties are held? Share them with us.And if you liked this article, you may also want to know why February has 28 days.
Images: Leandro Neumann Ciuffo, Phossil., Chris, Kaspercarissa, David Kirsch, Marcus Correa
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