Rio de Janeiro forgets the pandemic and reconnects with its carnival

Last year, the Covid deprived Brazil of its breath, of part of its DNA, of its unofficial national holiday. The cancellation of the carnival in Rio de Janeiro was experienced as a national tragedy. More than two years after the last edition, and despite two months behind the usual date following the Omicron wave, the Brazilian people will be able to reconnect, this Friday from 10 p.m., with sequins, feathers, drums and the samba.

A night of parades is planned at the sambadrome, 75,000 spectators being expected to shake the stands, in order to revive this sumptuous and unbridled party. For one hour each, the first six samba schools will parade around gigantic and colorful floats, in front of millions of viewers who will remain glued to their posts until dawn. And in total, there will be no less than 40,000 dancers and percussionists, and as many shimmering and magical costumes, who will follow one another for two nights.

“Without the carnival, Rio would not be Rio”, exulted its mayor, Eduardo Paes, on Wednesday, declaring open “the greatest show on Earth”. The carnival brings a godsend to the “Marvellous City”, where it generates 45,000 jobs and 4 billion reais (about 800 million euros) in income. During the last edition, in 2020, Rio had received more than 2.1 million tourists. This year, even if there are fewer foreigners, the hotel industry announces an occupancy rate of 85%. By the way, does anyone have any news from Neymar?

source site