Carnaval de Rio - Rio de Janeiro

This human expression could be defined as the biggest carnival of the world. It is a cult of body beautifulness, specially feminine, characterized by great happiness and full diversion.

In this Carnival, everyone participates: rich and poor people, young and old, Brazilians and outsiders, white and black people, etc.; all of them, unified for this celebration.

In this festivity, a considerable number of bands, groups and samba schools also contributes. Such people prepare themselves for this moment the entire year.

The carnival tradition started in 1723 with the arrival of Portuguese immigrants.

In 1846, the first masquerade ball was organized. After some years, in 1852, a group of percussionists was incorporated to such event.

In 1855, the instauration of carnival clubs began and in 1932, the first non-official parade took place. Three years later, in 1935, the first official parade had effect in The Once Square.

In 1984, the parade was carried to The Pasarela Do Zamba, called also, Dos Desfiles Avenue. Today, this place is known as The Pasarela Profesor Darcy Ribeiro, and this is the internationally famous "sambódromo". This site can concentrate 62.000 people.

There are two ways to participate in this party: being part of a samba school (escola) or being part of the public. In both cases, people jump, sing, dance and support their favourite escola. Every group passes all along The Marquês de Sapucaí Avenue until The Apoteosis Square in 1 hour and 20 minutes.

The whole celebration lasts two nights, in which, seven samba schools march on Sunday and other sever escolas march on Monday.

The escolas´ conformation is very well regulated. They are divided in sections, every section has a particular costume, this costume refers to a special aspect related to the main topic presented by the escola. The topic changes every year as well as the musical theme or zamba de enredo that counts a story, also related to the principal topic.

Every samba school is conformed by choreographers, dancers, singers, compositors and animadores or individuals in charge of making the public dance and sing. As more public supports the group, more points the escola will obtain.

The escola is scored by a jury which assigns points in terms of quality of interpretation, choreography, the march and the changes of rhythm during the parade.

One of the most important components of a escola are The Mestre - Sala and The Porta - Bandeira, they are a couple that is situated in front of the first sections; this couple carries a flag which is made of the representative colours of every samba school. They are the maximum symbol of a escola.

In the front of the march, there is The Comisión de Frente, a small group of dancers that presents a determined choreography. This group presents its school and greets the public.

There is a maximum and an minimal number of carriages that can be presented by the escolas, the principal carriage is called Carro Abre Alas, inside this vehicle, the main dancers are transported.

The major samba schools comprehends 4.000 participants, approximately, and 7 or 8 carriages.

As a matter of fact, this is a competition too, where all the escolas participate in order to receive the big price.

The cost of the bullets to access to this parade oscillates between 160 and 280 $ per night.

There are also other parades like the marches of The A and B groups, escolas of children, and, in the end, the next Saturday, the last enormous parade with the winners.

Outside of the sambódromo, there is also a big carnival party.

Along the streets, many bands and groups dance, march and conform small contests.

In order to initiate the event, the Major gives the keys of the city to The Rey Mono (The Monkey King), a traditional personage. This precise moment opens the celebration to more than 200 popular dances like the ones in the famous Lapa neighbourhood.

Other neighbourhoods and regions have their own bands that traverse the city, among them: The Ipanema´s Band, Sá Ferreira, De Bolivar, and Santa Clara.

There are also many shows of diverse groups such as: Concentra Mas Não Sai, Dois Para Lá, Dois pra Cá, Simpatia é Quase Amor, Barbas and Suvaco de Cristo.