Rio carnival how long

In , the Sambodromo was completed and almost immediately, the parade registered an increase in participants and spectators. Now, what is Carnival without the samba parade? You can feel the resonance of the drums, cymbals and trumpets echo through the Sambodromo and brim over to the streets. The Carnival is celebrated five days preceding Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent in the Catholic calendar. At the heart of the Carnival is the samba, which is the perfect illustration of the Afro-European blend that defines Brazil culture.

The top samba schools get the honor of performing in front of millions at the Sambodromo. The energy is palpable throughout the stadium that spectators are known to dance along with the participants.

The judges will announce the champion on Ash Wednesday. The exotic nature and sensuality of the samba is only enhanced by the flashy costumes of the participants. But these costumes are not chosen because of aesthetics but rather they form part of the story. While the spectators only see the different pigments and designs of the costumes, the significance of each garb is not lost on the judges. The preparation and decision-making process take months.

These schools just started from street bands which developed into groups and clubs then associations before they became the samba schools of today. Each school has a close relationship with the host community mainly because the samba schools help support the poor sectors in its surrounding areas. The community provides the labor to build the floats, sew the costumes, logistical support and even as security enforcers to ensure the safety of the dancers.

While the competition among schools remains stiff, they nevertheless never forget what the Carnival is about. Guests can book seats on a table for a buffet dinner and access to the open bar or purchase a standing ticket. Other than buying tickets for the parades and soaking up the atmosphere, Carnival goers can also opt to participate themselves, joining one of the available samba schools. All they have to do is purchase one of the official costumes listed on the website.

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Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Expert Rio Carnival-goers suggest packing colourful but breathable clothes to take in all the daily festival fun in the summer heat. The elaborate and bold costumes are typically reserved for samba school performers. Other essentials that should be on travellers packing lists to enjoy Rio Carnival to the fullest include a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses to keep the sun at bay, a small cross-body purse or bag to keep all your essential belongings close and a reusable water bottle and snacks to keep hydrated and replenished.

Share your thoughts and comments below…. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. View this post on Instagram. Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Your email address will not be published. Comment Name Email Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Pin It on Pinterest. The parades of the best samba schools are scheduled for Feb.

In just one day, five times as many seats were sold as on the first day of sales for the Carnival, a statement from the association said, noting the clear demand for the return of the spectacle. He said the association was working to organize the biggest Carnival ever — "and we are sure it will be a memorable return. The Carnival — an annual catharsis of sorts that allows Rio to let off steam — usually attracts millions of tourists to Sugarloaf Mountain every year.