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Carnival is Rio's main experience. It happens at the peak of summer, when Cariocas (Rio’s locals) are at their best. Rio’s carnival is the biggest carnival of the world. It is a theme party whose invitation is enthusiasm. Some even argue that Rio’s carnival is the largest celebration on the planet! Bands, samba schools and local organizations anxiously wait for this time of the year. At this party, everyone is welcome and even those who aren’t native Carioca feel at home!
Festivities attract thousands of people from all corners of the world. Carnaval, as it is spelled in Portuguese, is a 4-day celebration. It starts on Saturday, and ends on Fat Tuesday, or Mardi-Gras. The dates change every year. Carnival Sunday is seven weeks before Easter Sunday.
The origins of Carnival are unclear, but most agree that it started as a pagan celebration in ancient Rome, or Greece. Carnival balls were imported from Italy in the late nineteenth century, and had their golden era in the thirties, with legendary balls at the Copacabana Palace, and Municipal Theatre.
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The Samba Parade began in the 30's - first timidly at Praça XI, and later on Av. Presidente Vargas. It found a permanent home in 1984 at the Sambodromo, in the downtown area. Today the event is telecast to dozens of countries, and all Brazilian states. Many people think of it as the greatest show on earth.
There's much more to Carnival than the Samba Parade, though. Street Carnival is loads of free fun, and it happens all over the city. You are more than welcome to watch and participate.
Banda de Ipanema is one of the most traditional ones. It was founded in 1964, and today it is listed as part of the city cultural heritage, attracting as many as fifteen thousand people! Carnival 2005 is from February 5-9. Choose from dozens of hotels and flats in areas like Ipanema and Copacabana.
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