Carnival Day

What do you think when millions of revelers dance in cities over the course of five days? That is the Brazilian Carnival that is taking place from February 22-26.

It was in the 1960s, at this time, adults and children danced and celebrated on the streets and in nightclubs to the sound of carnival marches - called "marchichas" ", a musical genre of humor and satire. Many marches are still widely known and sung today. The songs of the famous Brazilian football team are the "marchichas". The song of Rio de Janeiro - Cidade Maravilhosa (City of Wonders) is also a "marchichas"

Besides the marches, there is a dance called "frevo" and its music that dominates the famous Carnival of Pernambuco. And "trios elétricos" - a type of truck equipped with sound equipment for live music performances - also appeared at Carnival in Salvador, Bahia state.

Along with the appearance of samba, the Brazilian-African tone became famous. In fact, the parade of samba schools on the main avenue in Rio de Janeiro began in the 1930s, but it was not until three decades later that these schools began to attract attention both domestically and internationally.

After that, the samba school parade became the monumental performance it is known today. On average, each samba school has about 5,000 people participating in the parade. In the early 1980s, the Sambadrome was built specifically for parades. Today, the Sambadrome has become an architectural symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro.

The origin of Carnival Day

Historians believe that Carnival originated with ancient Roman folk festivals, such as Saturnalia or Lupercalia. The main melody in both festivals is the bustling, boisterous music.

Speaking of Saturnalia, the Roman historian Suetonius commented: "All men lost their minds". Other historians claim that Carnival has its roots in medieval European religious festivals. Medieval Christianity didn't object and let Carnival take place, and the Catholic Church made a rule about it.

In fact, the Carnival season is set to take place before Easter. From Europe, Carnival has come to Brazil via Portugal. And since the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, the Brazilian Carnival began to become a unique and monumental mass festival in the world, combined with new music rhythms and dances, typical of Brazil.

Carnival comes from the Latin "carnam levare", which means "abstain from meat". The elimination of meat was required during Lent, a period of abstinence for purification introduced by the Catholic Church during the 40 days before Easter, and the faithful were, during the Middle Ages, obligated to observe player. Taking place on the eve of Lent – ​​the event that begins with Ash Wednesday, Carnival is a time of partying, preparing for a long period of abstinence (meat). Today, Carnival is a time when people spend time having fun, dancing, having fun and partying.

Carnival is a time to seek happiness and forget the difficulties and hardships of daily life. Like the lyrics from the iconic song "Felicidade" (Happiness) by the great Bossa Nova masters, Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes:

Observing Carnival Day

At the Brazilian Carnival, the everyday world seems to be turned upside down in an egalitarian party. Rigid social relationships become more natural, emotional, and also proportionate...

For example, the parade of each samba school has a theme, that is, there is always a story chosen to convey throughout the performance, costumes, accessories, props. Emperor, combined with samba music and dance specially composed for each parade each year, also known as themed samba (samba-enredo) – imagined, thought, and created by members and build up. Splendid makeup, or becoming excited dancers… is the highlight of the parade under the ecstatic eyes of the public and visitors. No one cares who the person next to them is, all classes share joy and happiness.

The Rio de Janeiro Carnival always maintains the traditional ritual, giving us a clear image and concept of Carnival, that is: the image when the mayor gives the symbolic key of the city to the King of Carnival. The most popular is King Momo.

In Greek mythology, Momo is a goddess who embodies irony and mockery. Playfulness and irreverence are indispensable elements, associated with the image of a fat man, but in fact a fat man, chosen to be King Momo. And upon receiving the key to the city, the King of Festivals will issue a single command to his "subjects": "Have fun!”

Carnival stirs up the business market. Considering the city of Rio de Janeiro alone, it is estimated that the Carnival generates 20 times more revenue for the city than the public budget that supports the festival.

This festival is also a unique experience. Carnival Brazil has become a grand, grand-scale party, because of this, there will surely be Brazilians who want to escape from the noise and crowds to spend time relaxing.

However, anyone who has ever come to watch the samba school parade, who has ever felt the resounding drum beat, who has witnessed the procession through the streets with their own eyes, can hardly escape the influence of the samba school and not become an enthusiastic member of this exciting party.

On Carnival Day, join the crowd and enjoy this resounding festival. Share on social media with the hashtag #CarnivalDay.