Rio revellers question odd Carnival opening ceremony amid political tensions
Updated
Revellers across Brazil have begun Carnival celebrations, taking to the streets to dance, drink, and blow off steam at a time of economic angst and fury with politicians over a sprawling corruption scandal.
Key points:
- World famous Rio Carnival opening subdued as the city's mayor stays away
- Brazilians use the festive occasion for political protests on the economy and corruption
- Carnival brings billions into Brazil's economy at a time of economic recession
But this year, the world's most famous Carnival bash in Rio opened in a strange way, with the city's evangelical Mayor Marcelo Crivella delaying the traditionally opulent starting ceremony only to skip it with the excuse that his wife was sick.
Eventually, Rio city hall put out an email saying that Carnival was "officially open".
At the Sambadrome, where top league samba schools will begin competing on Sunday (local time), revellers waited for the traditional handing over of the city's key to "Rei Momo", or the king of carnal delights.
The king is usually a large man selected by a Carnival jury to play the role each year.
This was always done with great fanfare by former Mayor Eduardo Paes.
But the current mayor decided to send the head of Rio's tourism agency to represent him at the opening ceremony.
Even stranger was the quick removal from the Sambadrome of the Rei Momo.
It is not clear whether Mr Crivella, a retired Pentecostal bishop who took office on January 1, will attend any of the five days of parades at the Sambadrome.
Rio's city council has already authorised him to travel abroad within the next few days.
The mayor "should separate religion from politics at our Carnival," said Marisol Portela, who had come to the Sambadrome.
"He will not be missed. We will throw our party anyway."
Party comes amid angst about the future
The iconic five-day festival brings in more than $US1 billion to Rio each year, but the 2017 celebrations come at a difficult time for many Brazilians.
The economy is mired in recession, leading to daily announcements of job cuts and much angst about the future.
Many states, including Rio de Janeiro, are so broke that thousands of public workers are being paid months late, if at all.
Latin America's largest nation is also recovering from a brutal impeachment fight last year, which led to the removal of president Dilma Rousseff for illegal mismanagement of the budget.
The man who replaced her, Michel Temer, is deeply unpopular and is caught up in a massive corruption probe that has jailed dozens of politicians and businessmen in the last few years.
Several so-called block parties in Rio were underway ahead of the official opening, with thousands dancing in the summer heat.
One of Rio's big block parties is dedicated to the president. Its theme: "Out with Temer!"
At the "Carmelitas" block party in Rio's bohemian Santa Teresa neighbourhood, revellers dressed up as nuns, with many carrying signs insulting politicians who oppose marijuana legalisation.
"The lord says: you will try all the herbs that came from the seeds," read one banner.
"Carnival is a very nice and democratic party," said partygoer Nilse Azevedo.
"Whoever wants to pray, prays. Whoever wants to have fun in the street has fun."
AP
Topics: arts-and-entertainment, carnivals-and-festivals, community-and-society, government-and-politics, religion-and-beliefs, brazil
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