CARNIVAL IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL 2007 (18-

21 February)
THE BIG PARADES OF RIO'S CARNIVAL

Image above: Carnival in Rio Embratur

The main parade of Rio's Carnival is at the Sambodrome, a massive concrete stadium-
like structure, built along Avenida Marques de Sapucai. The parade involves more then
50.000 figurants, and a selected number of top samba schools. Most of the schools,
representing many districts and social clubs and interests, aren’t present in the main
Samba School Parade.

Rio's Carnival is centred in samba schools and themes selected for each year. The
themes may be very diverse: they can be a myth, a historical or present event, a political
or artistic personality, and must embrace every detail of the year’s school presentation.
The lyrics, the music itself, the costumes of the figurants, the papier-mâché figures and
paintings of the allegoric car, all must accord with the selected theme.

Each samba school exhibition includes a fixed set of components:

- the Abre-Alas: the opening wing of sambistas marching ahead, colourfully costumed;
- the Comissão da Frente: a long line of well dressed men;
- the Porta Bandeira: the Flag Bearer, a woman carrying the school’s flag;
- the Mestre Sala: the Dance Master, dressed up in an ancient century way;
- the bateria: the main file of sambistas with the percussion instruments, imposing the
rhythm to the school participants;
- the other alas, dressing and illustrating the diverse peculiarities of the chosen theme;
- the figuras de destaque: the Proeminent Persons, embodied by artistic or sports
celebrities;
- the passistas: groups of dancers;
- the Carro Alegórico: the central piece of the presentation, the big luxury decorated
float, presenting the main theme, with its own figurants.

All the schools compete among them. There is an official jury considering the details of
the parade and the fidelity to the theme. The classification defines not only celebrity,
fame and joy for the samba school, but also public money for their activities.

If you are interested in these parades, you should buy the tickets early enough, and
anticipate hotel booking. Many hotels demand a minimum of five days stay at the
Carnival in Rio period.

http://www.brazil-travel-guide.com/Carnival-In-Rio.html