Rio CarnivalBrazil's tradition of throwing wild carnivals early in
the year (usually in February or March) is one that was imported
along with the colonial Portuguese, adopted and streamlined into
today's world-famous Brazilian event of the year. Carnaval stems
from a Catholic Church spring thanksgiving celebration dating from
the Middle Ages in Europe. Carnival is always held four or five
days before Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of Lent. When the
fun-loving Portuguese colonised Brazil they instituted Carnaval as
a period of abandoned merriment and street pranks. In 1840 the
Italian wife of a Rio de Janeiro hotelier formalised the carnaval
celebration by hiring musicians and giving a lavish masked ball.
Today each city in Brazil celebrates Carnaval in its own style, but
the crème de la crème of Carnaval celebrations is the one held in
Rio, where the focus is on the colourful parade of the samba
schools, which comes with extravagant floats, brilliant costumes,
magical music and amazingly energetic dancers. The action takes
place in the Sambodromo, a half-mile long path built specifically
for the event in 1984. At the end of the parade the samba schools
perform for an hour each in front of stands packed with spectators,
vying for the judges' favour and the championship title. Carnaval
time is also a time for street parties and elaborate night-long
costume balls, which are held in the top hotels.June Bonfire FestivalsAn integral part of Brazilian folklore and culture is
a New World twist on an old European tradition; coinciding with the
feasts of St Anthony, St John and St Peter, June bonfire festivals
are held in Rio's squares, clubs, schools and churches. Warmly
illuminated by bonfires, the events features mock country weddings,
where couples leap over crackling flames, and stalls decorated with
streamers and lanterns are set up to resemble village markets.
Spectacular fireworks, as well as a good deal of dancing, drinking
and eating, accompany this scene.New Year's EveBrazilians know how to party and Rio's New Year
(Reveillon) celebrations are ranked among the world's biggest
extravaganzas. This jovial city hosts musical shows in several
districts to bring in the New Year, and on Copacabana Beach a crowd
of over two million people is expected. Partygoers dress in white
to bid farewell to the year that is ending and celebrate the
arrival of the next. A fabulous display of fireworks illuminates
the sky at midnight, amid much festivity, dancing and happiness.
Hotels, clubs and restaurants also offer a variety of party options
with formal balls, diverse menus and tropical
buffets.
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