The subtleties of the Brazilian carnival (26 photos)

The second most important and famous attraction in Brazil can be safely called the carnival. In first place, as you understand, is the statue of Christ in Rio de Janeiro, and there are no options. Brazilian carnivals are famous all over the world, and hardly anyone would doubt that this is one of the most colorful and large-scale spectacles, capable of amaze even the most spoiled traveler with its scope!







Every year, millions of tourists come to Brazil to see the carnival with their own eyes. During the carnival, about 60% of the annual alcohol intake is consumed, and local residents enjoy a legal weekend, since for them this is not just an annual holiday, but an integral part of the national culture and spirit! Vivid processions take place in all cities of the country, but the most famous are in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Salvador, Recife and Fortaleza.



The origins of the Brazilian carnival, according to various versions, go back to the ritual dances of Black Africa, which were brought to Brazil along with millions of black slaves and slaves, and to pagan ceremonies in honor of the ancient Egyptian god Osiris, and to the Roman Saturnalia.



However, the true predecessor of the Brazilian carnival is considered to be the Portuguese holiday "Entrudo", which was traditionally celebrated at the end of winter, before Lent. Entrudo was a sign that spring was just around the corner, and was the last opportunity for people to have fun before a long period of abstinence from all kinds of excesses. During the celebration, participants poured water on each other, showered each other with flour, and threw rotten eggs and tomatoes, thus symbolically demonstrating wealth and abundance.



The first full-fledged carnival is called the grandiose festivities of early March 1808, when King João VI of Portugal came to Brazil to escape Napoleon's troops. The celebrations were accompanied by theatrical performances, fireworks and costumed processions in which the royal jesters and courtiers took part.



The holiday was popularly called “Funny Day,” during which anything could happen. So ordinary people fooled each other in all sorts of ways: they poured water on each other, threw raw eggs, corn and beans at each other. And girls... girls could urinate from the balcony directly on the heads of the guys they liked, and the latter were not offended - such a display of attention was regarded as flirting. And, of course, the festivities were always accompanied by songs and dances.



And a little later, Italian settlers made their contribution to the history of the carnival: they brought a piece of the fabulous Venetian carnivals to Brazil.



But, of course, over time, the content of the holiday, and its essence by and large, has changed a lot. Today, carnival processions include, first of all, competitions of samba schools, and only then mass celebrations. And all because the fiery samba, which combines elements of Italian, Portuguese and African dances, is no less popular in the country than, say, football.



The first samba school appeared in Rio de Janeiro back in the 20s of the last century, and today there are thousands of schools in the country, and each has its own “zest”, its own style.



The most famous, large-scale, beautiful and, what’s more, sexy carnival traditionally takes place in Rio - it is to this city that all lovers of beauty flock. No, of course, simpler carnivals can be seen in many other Brazilian cities - say, in Salvador, Recife and Fortaleza.



However, the residents of Rio, the Cariocas, absolutely sincerely believe that the main action takes place only in the city of His Majesty Carnival. During the four official days of the holiday (and the country celebrates unofficially for more than a week), there comes a time in Rio when the city completely surrenders itself to the power of boundless fun.



Traditionally, the Brazilian carnival begins with the official part, which represents the ceremonial transfer of power during the festivities by the mayor of the city of Rio to the King of the Carnival, chosen by the residents. After this, the streets are filled with people in fantastic costumes and hats, music begins to sound everywhere...



And, by the way, about music. Initially, Portuguese folk songs were used as the musical accompaniment of the carnival, and only after some time, and probably following fashion trends, they began to alternate with polka and Italian carnival rhythms. Since 1870, a new Brazilian musical style, “maxixe,” was added to them.



Well, after the music came dancing. At first these were the so-called “ranchos” - competitions of dancers who, using dance movements, told a love story. It is from the ranchos that samba is believed to have taken its unique artistry. But the movements themselves came from ritual African dances: for example, the African ritual dance “semba” looked like a frantic shaking of the stomach. And, by the way, initially samba was precisely the form of self-expression of the black population.



Subsequently, African dances were strongly influenced by the then fashionable polka and habanera, and the dance itself began to change according to the trends of the times, until it finally became the main component of the Brazilian carnival.



In 1916, the first samba was written especially for the holiday, and in 1928, as I said above, the first samba school appeared. Currently, there are already a great many of these schools in Brazil, and their main task is to show such a level of samba and put on such a show that everyone around will literally be delighted! And, of course, samba is, first of all, a competition for the title of the best school.



Ishmael Silva with the instruments that revolutionized samba

Every year, the carnival procession of samba schools is dedicated to a specific theme, in accordance with which costumes are sewn, scenery is prepared, and platforms are decorated. In addition, the choreography and melody with which the school performs at the carnival are also prepared individually.



And all this in order to make the most spectacular parade around the huge Sambodrome, which can accommodate up to 700,000 spectators! As a rule, a procession from one school includes from 3 to 5 thousand people, including famous artists and athletes who know that participation in the carnival will definitely add to their popularity.



Since 1984, carnival processions have been held along a specially designated alley built on Avenida Marquis Sapucai. The length of this alley is 700 meters and the width is 13. The action opens with the carnival march “Spread Your Wings,” which was written especially for the holiday in 1899 by Shquinha Gonzago.



It takes about an hour and a half to go through each of the samba schools, and the most titled one goes first. Also, the best dancers and school staff are among the first to parade, followed by thousands of dancers and hundreds of musicians, including anyone who can pay about $600.



On floats, next to allegorical figures, dressed in feathers, rhinestones and sparkles, dance "destagues" - specially selected artists. Near them move “passistas” - half-naked dancers. They all play out their own stories, united by a common theme for this year.



And, as I already said, the Brazilian carnival is, first of all, a competition between samba schools. Therefore, their performances must captivate not only the audience, but also the panel of judges. The jury takes into account everything: music, lyrics, synchronicity of movements, plot of the production. Scores are usually reduced for "gaps" in the ranks of dancers, insufficient expression in the dance or a weak response from the audience.



And, of course, the judges evaluate the costumes... although... it would be more correct to say... their absence. Exposing various parts of the body is an unspoken law of the carnival in Rio de Janeiro, but complete nudity is still prohibited by the rules. Therefore, viewers have the opportunity to fully enjoy the endless options for piquant costumes!



By the way, spectator seats at the Sambadrome usually cost from $250, chairs at a table - from $450 and above, accommodation in VIP boxes of the Sambadrome - from $1,000.



And for those who are especially adventurous, there is always the opportunity to visit the carnival “out of season”, that is, for only 10 reais (2 dollars) you can attend a rehearsal of a procession of one of the samba schools. So to speak, cheap and cheerful!