The samba was playing and the streets of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil were filled with revelry and pageantry as Carnival festivities kicked off on Friday. This year’s celebration marks a return to the full-fledged festivities not seen since before the coronavirus pandemic. Brazil’s government anticipates 46 million people will join in the annual event, which takes place in the days before Lent.
Rio alone has granted over 600 permits for street parties known as “blocos”, with many more unofficial bashes expected to take place in the days ahead. Millions of people attend some of the city’s biggest “blocos”, bringing an estimated economic boost of $1bn to businesses such as bars and hotels.
This year’s Carnival is a stark contrast to the more subdued celebrations of previous years, when Brazil was suffering under the COVID-19 pandemic. The country has recorded 697,894 deaths from the virus, according to the World Health Organisation. In 2021, Carnival was cancelled for the first time in a century, while in 2022, Rio and Sao Paulo both delayed their festivities by two months due to fears of the omicron variant.
As the tourism industry recovers, the economy surrounding Carnival is likewise expected to rebound. Preparations for the parades and spectacles can take up to a year and involve carpenters, electricians, costume-makers and choreographers. Even Brazil’s first lady Rosângela da Silva is expected to join in the festivities this year.
The return of Carnival signals a renewed hope for Brazil, as it looks forward to a brighter future after a difficult year. The celebrations are a reminder of the country’s resilience and its ability to come together in times of adversity.