Samba, masks and tourists: interesting facts about the Brazilian carnival

Hundreds of thousands of tourists from different parts of the world once a year gather in Rio de Janeiro for the big Brazilian carnival. Initially, this holiday was dedicated to food, as it took place before the start of Lent. Now it is also an occasion to have fun, to escape from the harsh everyday life.

Interesting Carnival Facts in Rio de Janeiro

▪ The word "carnival" in Portuguese means "farewell to meat". That is, this is the day preceding the period of refusal of heavy food;

▪ Carnival has been celebrated in Portugal since the 15th century. Initially, the festivities were very, very noisy, so much so that they interfered with the inhabitants of the city. By decree of the king, carnival fun was forbidden for some time;

▪ The first carnival took place in Rio in 1840. The main dances on it were the waltz and the polka;

▪ In the last century, the main dance of the Brazilian carnival was the samba. The music of this direction was considered traditional Brazilian, which is the product of mutual love for the music of former colonists and former slaves;

▪ Traditionally, before the start of the carnival, the "owner" of the holiday is appointed - it should be the fattest man (weighing 110 kg). He must constantly be at the Sambadrome, attend all balls and competitions (their number is measured in hundreds) and ... constantly dance;

▪ During the carnival period, the rich and the poor could switch roles. The poor put on expensive suits, the rich put on something discreet and merged with the crowd of townspeople. And men were allowed to wear women's clothes;

▪ There is a variety of tulips called "Carnival de Rio", named after a Brazilian holiday. This flower is very bright, just like carnival costumes.