- For the second year in a row, samba and comparsas filled the streets of Rio de Janeiro and other cities following the Covid-19 pandemic
Brazil appears to have regained its traditional carnival after halting all of its activities in 2021 for the first time in a century. This is due to the Covid-19 pandemic which, although controlled until 2022 thanks to vaccines, retained several restrictions that prevented them from celebrating fully. Now that most of the world is back to normal, the Sambadrome party returns in all its color from yesteryear.
Since February 18th, several Brazilian cities have organized their comparsas, while the beaches and squares are full of vacationers.
Members of the Grupo Especial Acadêmicos do Tucuruvi samba school during the second day of the carnival celebrations at the Anhembí Sambadrome in Sao Paulo. Photo:. EFE/ Sebastiao Moreira
A member of the Águia de Ouro Special Group Samba School in the Anhembí Sambadrome. Photo: EFE/ Sebastião Moreira
Troops with feathers, glitter and drums make their way through the crowd, showing naked bodies painted in bright colors. And at dusk, the samba schools gather in the sambadromes to parade their huge floats with troupes of exotically dressed dancers.
In Sao Paulo, the Anhembí Sambadrome began its second day of parades on February 19, with 14 schools competing for the top prize.
Members of the Grupo Especial Império de Casa Verde samba school at the Sambadrome Anhembí. Photo: EFE/ Sebastião Moreira
A member of the Águia de Ouro special group samba school during the second day of the carnival celebrations in the Anhembí Sambadrome. Photo: EFE/ Sebastião Moreira
Carnival returns in Recife
Use a drone to photograph the traditional street comparsa “Galo da Madrugada” in Recife, northeastern Brazil. EFE/Ney Douglas
Although some cities, such as Rio de Janeiro, have attempted to celebrate Carnival in 2022 with restrictions, others such as Recife have not had an event of this nature since the pandemic began. However, this year saw the return of the Galo da Madrugada, a colorful, 23 meter tall statue of a rooster located on the Duarte Coelho Bridge in the center of the city.
In Recife, the carnival is forecast to have around two million people dancing during the four days of celebrations. Photo: EFE/Ney Douglas
The opening of the Recife Carnival took place on the night of February 17th with a concert in an open square in the city’s Marco Zero, led by the musician Caetano Veloso. Many participants spent the night on the streets, waiting for dawn with the Galo da Madrugada to continue the party.
Members of the traditional street comparsa Galo da Madrugada pose during a carnival parade. Photo: EFE/Ney Douglas
Party in the streets of Rio
Amigos da Onça Carnival street comparsa on Flamengo Beach in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: EFE/Andre Coelho
The capital of the Brazilian carnival is Rio de Janeiro. With centuries-old troops like the Cordão da Bola Preta, where people mostly wear white clothes with black balls. On February 18, he made his 103rd tour of downtown streets.
Members of the carnival street comparsa Amigos da Onça. Photo: EFE/André Coelho
After also taking a break due to the pandemic, the Cordão da Bola Preta honored the victims of Covid-19 in Brazil and around the world this year. Therefore, many people dressed up as nurses, doctors, health professionals, and even syringes.
A member of Amigos da Onça on Flamengo Beach. Photo: EFE/André Coelho
On the other hand, in the streets and beaches, various street troupes like Amigos da Onça, who mix comedy and music, prefer to focus on Flamingo Beach. Another is the Carmelitas comparsas, one of the most traditional, based in the Santa Teresa neighborhood.
AME5218. RIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL), 02/17/2023.- Members of the Carmelitas Street Comparsa take part in an official parade of the Rio de Janeiro Carnival today in the historic district of Santa Teresa in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Carmelitas was founded in 1990 and is one of the most traditional comparsas in the city of Rio de Janeiro, EFE/ André Coelho
AME5218. RIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL), 02/17/2023.- Members of the Carmelitas Street Comparsa take part in an official parade of the Rio de Janeiro Carnival today in the historic district of Santa Teresa in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Formed in 1990, Carmelitas is one of the most traditional groups in the city of Rio de Janeiro, EFE/ André Coelho Related news