Revellers across Brazil began Carnival celebrations on Friday, taking to the streets to dance, drink beer and spirits, and blow off steam at a time of economic angst and fury with politicians over a sprawling corruption scandal.
The world’s most famous Carnival bash in Rio opened in a strange way. After a day in silence, the city’s evangelical Mayor Marcelo Crivella delayed the traditionally opulent starting ceremony until 8.30 p.m. only to skip it with the excuse that his wife was sick. Eventually, Rio city hall put out an e-mail saying that Carnival was “officially open.”
But several so-called block parties in Rio were under way by the afternoon. Thousands of revellers danced amid the heat and high humidity, standard during the Southern Hemisphere summer. At the “Carmelitas” block party in Rio’s bohemian Santa Teresa neighbourhood, revellers dressed up as nuns, with many carrying signs insulting politicians who oppose marijuana legalisation.
“The lord says you will try all the herbs that came from the seeds,” read one banner.
“Carnival is a very nice and democratic party,” said party-goer Nilse Azevedo. “Whoever wants to pray, prays. Whoever wants to have fun in the street has fun.”
But it was the odd opening to the iconic festival, which brings in $ 1 billion to Rio each year, that was the talk of the day.
