Carnivals were held in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo after a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Rio’s Sambadrome – where the most expensive seats cost almost £1,000 – was buzzing with flamboyant dancers dressed in spectacular costumes.
It has been home to the parade since the 1980s and is the symbol of the Brazilian carnival festivities.
Partygoers from the Sao Clemente Samba School at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro
–
–
Dancers from the Tom Maior samba school perform in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Photo: AP
–
During the pandemic, it was turned into a vaccination post and a shelter for more than 400 homeless people.
Ketula Mello, 38, muse of the Imperatriz Leopoldinense samba school, said she was delighted to be back.
“Those two years have been horrible. Now we can be happy again,” she said, wearing a black and white costume made of seashells.
–
A performer during a presentation at the Sao Paulo Carnival Special Group Parade at the Sambadrome in Anhembi. Photo: AP
–
–
Last year’s event was canceled because of the Delta variant
–
Brazil has confirmed its first cases of COVID-19[feminine] in mid-March 2020, just after the end of that year’s carnival festivities.
The 2021 event was canceled due to the Delta variant, and this year’s celebrations were postponed for two months due to the Omicron variant.
Many jobs are created by the preparations for the carnival of the samba schools, employing countless seamstresses, welders and costumers among others.
Months before, dancers and percussionists take part in the rehearsals.
–
This year’s celebrations have been postponed for two months due to the Omicron variant. Photo: AP
–
Tickets are often free for those who attend parades year-round.
One, Juciara do Nascimento Santos, 66, said people need to “take care of ourselves” during the pandemic in order to be “here today to celebrate life”.
There were also street parties across Rio although the town hall refused permission to hold them.
–
