Sambodrom: Rio de Janeiro – Capital of Carnival and the city of the Eternal Sun

In February, Rio de Janeiro is immersed in the most "Great madness" – Carnival, rhythm rhythm, paints and love. Under the rhythms of Samba, colorful crowds dressed only in feathers and sparkles, almost a week indulge. Carnival – People’s Brazilian holiday, the traditions of which are lost somewhere in the depths of centuries. It is said that the carnival is – this is the Brazilian soul itself. In the play of costumes, flowers and allegories moving under the mixing of rhythms, the effect of Africa feels. The origins of the carnival are not very clear, but the majority believes that this pagan tradition came from Rome or Greece. Others believe that the tradition of carnival came from Portugal, where at this time celebrated "A fun day". In 1900, wagons (platforms) appeared on the carnival. At the beginning of the century, modern forms of the parade – the procession to the music of samba. In 1984, Samba’s parade was called Sambodrome.

The period after the new year’s occurrence, after the Christmas and New Year holidays, for all the inhabitants of the planet is not so noteworthy as for the population of Brazil. Here just all starts, and begins with anticipation of carnival. For someone this time of important decisions, someone is started in large spending, and someone just wants to distract from everyday life. It is still very important – in Brazil now summer. And the carnival goes to the most height.

In February of this year, Rio de Janeiro expects to take more than three hundred thousand tourists from around the world. The most important days – from 10 to 12 February. In general, the carnival takes place every year. Usually it takes place in February, sometimes in March, begins on Saturday, ends on Wednesday. Carnival will last from February 8 to 15, but the country is unofficially to continue to celebrate up to the 17th. After him comes a great post. We can say that the carnival is the same carnival, with his wide carnival (marks the end of the holiday on Wednesday).

On the carnival compete schools of Samba, showing the ingenuity of local craftsmen and their dance skills within an hour of twenty minutes. Each commune represents the result of its work for everyone (and a colorful procession is preparing for almost a year). Months of labor – and only an hour of presentation. But it’s worth it. For those who participate in the carnival, this tradition is akin to religion. It is worth explaining what sambe school is. This is not at all educational institutions, as it would be assumed from the name, and the peculiar associations of people grouping on the principle of neighborhood, usually all of the members of one commune (Favela) or suburban area. Schools are divided into departments (ALAS), each of them comes up with their choreography of carnival dance, but in most cases, only a specialist can distinguish their features. On the carnival platforms collected from three to five thousand participants. Special Commission from Samba School League assesses submission. Stopping, a hitch or breakage of the platform, as well as the loss of a costume element a dancer can dispel dreams about victory. On the Sambodroma, everything is estimated – melody of samba, costumes, carts, drums, but the most important is the coordination and coordination of the participants in the presentation, which should move, following the rhythm asked by whistle and drums. Residents so support their favorite schools as if they were hurting for a football team. On each platform, allegorical shapes are water. In 2000, various periods of the history of Brazil were represented on the school of the school, noting 500 years of the country’s history. Each school is fighting for the champion title of carnival.

Fantasy creators of platforms is infinite, but every year you need to invent something new. Then on the carts wellace the fire dragon, then a huge bird waving wings. The dimensions of the structures are limited due to the narrowness of the streets leading to the sambodrom. Sometimes platforms lose part of their scenery before the appearance here. The procession of each platform has its own structure. Men in white T-shirts pushing the carts, women in colorful expensive costumes go in front of the platform, a group of men depicts traditional cariocas (residents) in white T-shirts and Panama. Ahead of the procession marching a woman carrying a school flag. Next to her is dancing a man who attracts attention to this "Princess" and calling viewers applaud. A group of drummers is also its own. Before them is a Queen – a television, a specially invited celebrity or just beauty. In addition to sambodromes on the streets and even on the beaches, a folk walk unfolds. The main streets are closed for travel. Everywhere dance samba, drinking funny drinks and sang songs.

During the carnival, the Catholic Church holds Mass for the forgiveness of sins committed these days. Archbishop Rio de Janeiro prescribes a flock of two hundred forty two parishes of the city to pour the sins of the Karnavala participants. The church does not oppose these annual days of fun, but asks loyal Catholics to pray for the forgiveness of the excesses while most of the population is not in the cathedrals, but to the street to join the world of samba holiday, alcohol and sex.

For the period of carnival, Brazilian cities are coroned by the King Momo, which is chosen from the thick men (they must weigh more than 140 kg!). This year, now the sixth time in a row king Momo in Rio became the thirty-year architect Alex de Oliveira. He is obliged to attend 200 defile, balas and contests, and of course, on a sambodrom, where 14 schools will compete. Self-bodrom tickets are not cheap. During the opening ceremony of Carnival, the mayor of the city presents the King of Momo keys to Rio de Janeiro. During the carnival, there are about two hundred balls in different parts of the city, the most significant – the ball in the Palace of Copacabana, on which actors, politicians, football stars come out, models. Everything participates in the carnival extravagan. A few years ago, the President of Brazil decided to participate in the carnival in Rio and show how he loves this city. It ended with all the headlines in all Brazil newspapers, screaming about how the head of state lost control of himself.

You need to know that from December to February in Rio de Janeiro – Peak season, so it’s just necessary to book a hotel in advance. The rest of the hotel time usually reduce prices.

A little about Rio de Janeiro. In 1502, Portuguese navigators led by Andre Goncalves examined Brazil’s coast. Having accepted Guanabar Bay for the mouth of the river, they called this place Rio (translated from Portuguese – River). Then stood January, sounding in Portuguese as "Janeiro" (Janeiro). So attached to the future city name Rio de Janeiro. The official founder of the city in the early 1500s was Eshtasio de Ca, Portuguese Conquistador. In 1530, the Portuguese Monarch sent an expedition to colonize the country. The city began to actively develop in the XVII century after the gold and diamonds deposits were discovered nearby (thanks to this field, the city of Diamantina was named by UNESCO cultural heritage of mankind). In the XVIII century, Rio de Janeiro tried to attack the French twice, but the Portuguese did not want to give so rich territory. In 1763, Rio became the capital of Colonial Brazil. At the beginning of the XIX century, when Europe shook the hiking of Napoleon, the Portuguese monarch moved to the whole yard to Rio, as a result of which the city began to grow and turned into a large center, and its population increased to 70 thousand. Don Zhuao presented the city of Botanical Garden, the Royal Library, theater, the Royal School of Sciences and Arts. Monarch shortly lived in tropical rio. Leaving instead of a young heir, he returned to Europe. Don Pedro, the first emperor of Brazil, in 1822 he gave the country independence. At this time, golden primers gave way to another treasure – coffee. Rio de Janeiro remained the capital until 1960, when this status was transferred to the city of Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro, who lost the title of the capital, in fact it did not give himself. Today it is the cultural center of the country. Old Town with narrow streets, somewhere else and the case come across small churches, has undergone a lot of changes. Hollys were broken to open the road for wider and modern streets, for the construction of glass skyscrapers. But the attractions remain unshakable. The Imperial Palace (Paco Imperial) was built in the first half of the XVIII century, he was a residence of the Royal Portuguese Family from 1808 to 1889. Palacio Tiradentes is now the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro, and earlier was a prison, which contained a hero of National Independence Tyradentes. Church of De Santa Cruz Dos Militares, built at the end of the XVIII-early XIX century, resembles the Cathedral of Jesus in Rome. Monastery of St. Bento is considered the most beautiful baroque ensemble of Brazil.

In Rio de Janeiro, the sun shines all year round. From December to March in Brazil Summer. Roast, wet, with thunderstorms and small storms in January, when the temperature reaches 40 ° C. Autumn lasts from March to June. Weather at this time of the year Sunny, the sky is cloudless, this is the best time for walking. In winter (from June to September) a bit colder than at another time, but the weather is still solar and clear. The best time to travel to Rio de Janeiro – from May to August, at this time the temperature ranges from 22 to 32 ° C, with the ocean blows a light warm breeze.

Called residents "Gorgeous" (Cidade Maravilhoca), Rio de Janeiro attracts his magic beauty. He lies between the mountains and the sea and is considered the most popular beach resort in South America (the beaches here municipal, their length is 90 km, the most famous – Copacabana and iPanema). The huge statue of Christ the Savior with open hands on the top of the Corcovado Mountain, which became a symbol of the city, as if blessed by the city, its inhabitants and all guests. Corcovado Mountain is located at an altitude of about 400 m above sea level, it opens a stunning view of the Gayanabar Bay and the city itself (you can go to the funicular on the funicular).

It is also useful to know what the word that is heard everywhere. "Cariana" – This is called local residents. This word came from the language of the Indians and means "the White house" or "White House". So the Indians called the houses that the Portuguese was built. It so happened that the Portuguese gradually began to call themselves Cariocas. In addition to dance Samba and Carnival Residents of Rio love to play football – everywhere, including on beaches. In general, in the traditions and mentality of the inhabitants of Rio, as well as all Brazil, the mixture of races and nationalities. Portuguese, African and Indian roots are manifested in the traditions and lifestyle of the inhabitants of the solar country. Good mood and daily fun here.