Brazil’s Carnival begins with parades, but no mayor
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Revelers 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 underway by the afternoon. Thousands of revelers danced amid 90-degree heat with high humidity, standard during the Southern Hemisphere summer.
At the “Carmelitas” block party in Rio’s bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood, revelers dressed up as nuns, with many carrying signs insulting politicians who oppose marijuana legalization.
“The Lord says: you will try all the herbs that came from the seeds,” read one banner.
But it was the odd opening to the iconic festival, which brings in more than $ 1 billion to Rio each year, that was the talk of the day.
At the sambadrome, where top league samba schools begin competing yesterday, revelers waited Friday for the traditional handing over of the city’s key to “Rei Momo,” or the king of carnal delights. This was always done with great fanfare by former Mayor Eduardo Paes.
But the current mayor Crivella decided to send the head of Rio’s tourism agency to represent him at the opening ceremony.