Heard of the song “The Girl from Ipenema” and wanted to be in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil? What a wonderful vacation to take and especially during Carnaval.
Carnaval is the most famous holiday in Brazil and it is filled with 4 days of energy, music, dance, and exhibitions. The dates change each year, but are usually between February 3 and March 9 and most businesses are closed during this time. There are non-stop celebrations, parades, and samba.
The origination of Carnaval was in Rio de Janeiro in 1641 by the bourgeoisie (bOr-juAW or elite middle class) when they took customs from Paris of holding balls and masquerade parties while copying European festivals. As time elapsed, the African and Native American elements were incorporated. Now, the parades are organized by samba schools and in 2011, 4.9 million people ascended into Rio de Janeiro to celebrate, of which 400,000 were tourists.
If you want to experience some of the festivities without being in the middle of the huge festival, you can arrive towards the end of the festivities and still enjoy blocos (minor parades).
Don’t want to travel to Brazil, but still want to experience the traditions of Carnaval? You have various options in the USA:
- For the last 35 years, Austin, Texas is host to one of the biggest Carnaval celebrations outside of Brazil at the Palmer Events Center. This year, it will be held on February 4, 2012.
- San Francisco, California also holds a Carnaval event in the Mission District. This year, it will be on May 26 and 27, 2012.
- The most well-known Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is in New Orleans, Louisiana, where the French were the first to hold a celebration in the area they named Point du Mardi Gras in 1704. This year, the celebration will be held on February 21, 2012.
No matter where you go, enjoy the festivities and be safe!
Brazil carnaval: http://gosouthamerica.about.com/cs/southamerica/a/Carnaval.htm
Austin, TX carnaval: http://www.sambaparty.com/
San Francisco, CA carnaval: http://www.carnavalsf.com/
New Orleans, LA carnaval: http://mardigrasday.com/
Museum of International Folk Art: http://www.carnavalexhibit.org/
Samba music: http://www.sambamusic.com/
History of carnaval: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_Carnival
Slide show 2009: http://www.flickr.com//photos/sergiofonseca/sets/72157614342504470/show/
Slide show 2008: http://www.flickr.com//photos/sergiofonseca/sets/72157603760461105/show/
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