Rio Carnival in Rio de Janiero, Brazil

Mon, Feb 4th 2008, 00:00

Rio Carnival is wild - this 4 day celebration is famous as one of the liveliest madcap parties on earth!

Carnival 2008 kicks off on 17 February and you can be sure that people will flock to Brazil from all over the world to join in the fun.

Carnival officially starts 40 days before Easter, a mad celebration before the privations of Lent. During Lent, Christians are traditionally expected to give up the pleasures of the flesh in a cleansing which continues right up until Easter.

February is the hottest month in Brazil, summer is at its peak and sultry outdoor celebrations are the order of the day. The Rio Carnival officially kicks off when big jolly King Momo, King of the Carnival, takes delivery of the keys to Rio de Janiero city. Then the party begins and spills out into the streets of Rio de Janiero, the squares, the bars and the clubs.

The main spectacle is the Rio Samba Parade. Participants have been planning themes and costumes months in advance. They parade through the streets in a colourful musical spectacle like no other.

The parade is highly organised. Each samba school lines up in sections, and each section has wings of 100 people each wearing the same costume. Carnival floats separate the sections, pushed along by men from the samba school and usually carrying guests and samba dancers in even more elaborate costume.

Judging booths are lined up along Samba Avenue and troupes are judged on a number of categories:

Percussion Band Samba Song Harmony Flow and Spirit Theme of the Year Overall Impression Floats and Props Costumes Vanguard Group The Flag Bearer

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