Brazil holds the first carnival after two years of Covid-19

Ana Vieira, a 48-year-old geography teacher, dressed in a bright, glittery outfit, waiting for the Imperatriz’s turn to march. “I’m really happy. I think a lot of people cried when the event started, myself included,” said Vieira, who has participated in the parade for 20 years. “The carnival is vitality. You can see the happiness on people’s faces after two years of being indoors and missing it.”

Brazil holds the first carnival after two years of Covid-19

Before the event took place, many people were worried that the carnival would be canceled again because Covid-19. However, with more than 75% of the South American country’s 213 million population fully immunized, the weekly average number of Covid-19 deaths has dropped from more than 3,000 to about 100, the program was given. organization permission.

All participants, an estimated 75,000 per night, are required to present a certificate of vaccination. City officials do not allow street parties that are too large, but some small parties are still conducted.

After a long time of complying with many measures to limit the epidemic, Brazilians feel even more yearning to join the traditional festival to dance, sing and party.

“Last night I couldn’t sleep. I was so excited,” said Rita Marcelino, who was dancing the samba as she prepared to march in elaborate African dress.

Each troupe has about 60-70 minutes to tell a story through music and dance. After that, the judges will score to choose the champion team.

This year’s defending champion Viradouro opted for a Rio 1919 carnival-themed outfit, the first event held since another pandemic, the Spanish flu, with a theme song that reads “joys will drive away”. melt away all the sadness”.

Other delegations chose topics with social messages, including the October election between far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and former left-wing president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Of the 12 participating delegations, eight chose themes against racism or the history of Brazilians of African descent. These are thorny issues in a country where incumbent presidents often face accusations of racism.

Their songs also convey messages about the Black Lives Matter protest movement, tributes to the gods in the African-Brazilian religion and more.

The carnival is seen as a necessary relief for an economy ravaged by the pandemic like Brazil. This festival could bring in about $800 million in revenue and create at least 45,000 jobs.

But above all, the event brought joy back to all attendees.

“We had two years in the dark. Brazil is not Brazil without the carnival. It is part of us,” said Latino Suarez, 45, from Sao Paulo.

Thanh Tam (According to AFP)