The Mercury News

Brazilians dancing away troubles at Carnival parties

- By Sarah Dilorenzo

SAO PAULO » Amid a lackluster economy, a massive corruption investigat­ion and increasing political polarizati­on, Brazilians let off steam Saturday during the first full day of Carnival, a holiday long considered a safety valve for social and political tensions.

Known for elaborate — or skimpy — costumes and intense samba competitio­ns, Carnival celebratio­ns also frequently take on serious subjects. This year, for instance, women’s groups are highlighti­ng the sexual harassment and unwelcome touching that many face during the celebratio­ns and throughout the year on Brazil’s streets. Others have called attention to housing shortages or are criticizin­g politician­s who have been accused of corruption.

But many see Carnival as a time to take a break from those weighty issues.

“Carnival transcends politics. It’s (a celebratio­n) of the Brazilian people,” said Hector Batelli, a 30-year-old lawyer, who on Saturday was enjoying a Sao Paulo Carnival street party, known as a bloco. “So we put aside politics to have a party, to celebrate.”

Brazil has recently emerged from one of the worst recessions in its modern history, and the largest corruption investigat­ion in Latin America has resulted in the prosecutio­n and jailing of many of its business and political leaders, decimating its political class and underminin­g faith in its institutio­ns.

That has led to deep political polarizati­on and even the rise of radicalism ahead of this year’s elections. Presidenti­al preference polls give a lead to former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has been convicted on corruption charges, but about whom Brazilians are split: About half want to see him in power again, while half want to see him in jail. In second is far-right congressma­n Jair Bolsonaro, who glorifies the country’s 1964-1985 dictatorsh­ip and has been ordered to pay fines for offensive comments.

The deep divide was reflected in plans for dueling blocos this year. A group called Right Sao Paulo planned a party named after a notorious organ of repression of the country’s former military regime, known as the Department of Political and Social Order, or DOPS. Others responded by planning parties that would denounce the regime.

In the end, a judge ruled that the Bloco “Basement of the DOPS 2018” could not appear in public.

Rio de Janeiro, meanwhile, is experienci­ng a wave of violence, as drug gangs battle it out on the streets, often killing innocent passers-by with stray bullets. Authoritie­s are putting 17,000 security forces on the streets during its world-famous celebratio­ns.

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