This Brazilian city on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean is world famous for its carnival. In Rio de Janeiro, it is especially bright, large-scale and colorful, and annually attracts millions of tourists to the streets of Rio.
About samba
The main dance of the Brazilian carnival is incendiary samba, several schools of which are presented these days on the streets of the city. Samba is called a symbol of the national identity of the Brazilians. During the passage of samba schools at the carnival in Rio de Janeiro, dancers in colorful vans perform the "samba nu pe" or "samba on legs" movements. Samba schools in Rio appeared in the last century along with the tradition of holding a carnival before Lent.
About preparation
Rio residents start preparing for the carnival long before it starts. Strictly speaking, the first preparatory activities start the next day after the end of the previous holiday. They are looking for sponsors who want to finance the performance of a particular group of dancers, and tailors who sew costumes. All potential participants save every real in order to ensure themselves the most luxurious view at the sambodrome.
Rio, dance
The lot determines the order in which the dancers perform. Some of the rules for the carnival are of undoubted interest for foreign tourists:
- The number of performers from each samba school can reach five thousand people.
- Each school passes in front of the stands in several cars, decorated and acting as dance platforms. Typically, a group will arrange from five to eight platforms.
- All machines are manually operated.
- The performance of each school must not exceed a certain amount of time established by the annual rules. Typically, such a passage takes from an hour to one and a half for each samba school.
- In addition to the brilliance and entertainment, the jury evaluates the rhythm of the music, the artistic embodiment of the declared theme and the performance of the leading standard-bearer soloist.
- The counting of 40 arbitrators' votes ends on Ash Wednesday and the winners are honored with fireworks and general jubilation.
The stadium, called the sambodrome, is located in the Estacio area. It can accommodate more than 88 thousand spectators at the same time. The length of the arena is 800 meters, and the parade, starting at 21 o'clock, usually lasts until the morning.
Flights and hotel prices skyrocket during the Rio de Janeiro carnival, but early booking still helps save some money.
