Rio’s elite samba schools take Brazil’s carnival celebrations to a new level after days of partying
AFTER two days of street parties, Rio’s Carnival is adding a sultry yet competitive edge, with the city’s samba schools about to dance off.
Destinations
Don't miss out on the headlines from Destinations. Followed categories will be added to My News.
AFTER two days of heady street parties, Rio’s Carnival is adding a sultry yet competitive edge, with the city’s elite samba schools about to dance off.
A dozen of the best schools, each consisting of several thousand scantily-clad dancers and drummers, will battle it out until dawn today and tomorrow in the elite category at Rio’s famed Sambadrome before a packed crowd of 70,000 people.
The Sambadrome, right in the heart of the city and designed by Brazilian modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer, is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Since the Carnival officially opened on Friday, when King Momo “decreed” five days of non-stop joyful song and dance, hundreds of street parties known as blocos have been pounding out a samba beat.
But the event steps up a collective gear as the samba schools sway through to the Sambadrome, with their glamorous dancers, flaunting toned bodies, parading atop and around magnificently decorated floats.
This year’s Carnival takes place three months before Brazil hosts its first World Cup since 1950 amid early anticipation of a sixth world title.
But Rio residents, known as Cariocas, are also keenly aware that the cost of staging the event - some $US11 billion - has drained the public purse in a country where public services need a massive overhaul.
There have been demonstrations on and off since June, in a country where mass political protest is rare, against the cost of the event and also that of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, which will be South America’s first.
But on the whole, the demonstrations have died down for the Carnival - the world’s largest street party, dating back to the early 18th century.
“Carnival is carnival. Celebrate! Protests can wait - at least for now,” shouted Christophe Land, one of 50 men decked out in black “Spiderman” outfits from the Cordao da Bola Preto group that comprises Rio’s biggest street party, or bloco.
Other revellers agreed.
“Nobody wants to protest, not this week,” said Cristiano Floriano, clad in canary yellow.
Sergio Mendes added: “I am a protester - we all know Brazilian politicians are corrupt. But the people are the majority - and carnival is for us.”
Some 500 blocos will lead millions, including around 900,000 foreign visitors, through Rio’s streets during the five days of festivities.
Celebrations are also well under way elsewhere in Brazil, with samba schools in Sao Paulo already putting on their own spectacular display.
But it’s not all glam.
There’s no need for extravagant costumes at the “Bloco da Lama” street party in Paraty, where revellers ditch the sequins in favour of head-to-toe layers of black mud.
“You don’t need to buy anything, you don’t need to spend any money, your costume is here for the taking,’’ said 28-year-old actress Diana Rodrigues, as she pointed to the naturally occurring mud banks along the Jabaquara beach in Paraty.
“The whole point of Carnival is to transform into someone else for a few days to do things you would never do in real life. And being covered in mud transforms you in just that way.’’
- With AP
One rule to never break in Abu Dhabi
It’s one of the most progressive spots in the Middle East with world-class attractions and luxury stays but there is one thing tourists should never do.
17 things I wish I’d known about Hawaii
Take it from an Aussie expat who’s been calling Hawaii home for the past 10 years: There are a few things you need to know before you arrive in these islands.