After a three-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Rio de Janeiro Carnival is back in its traditional form. The world-renowned annual Brazilian carnival will take place on February 18th and 19th, 2020.
But in the city streets, Brazilians are already reviving the " blocos ," the epic street parties. Rio has authorized around 400 of them this year.
And they precede the major element of the Rio carnival: the parade competition of the city's samba schools, scheduled for Sunday and Monday evenings.
Street carnival is the Brazilian soul, it's our ability to laugh at our madness, at our sadness," explains Caique Torres , a teacher.
But this year, the street parties in Rio also celebrate the electoral defeat of former president Jair Bolsonaro, accused of authoritarian drift.
"I think that politically this year is special not only because of the pandemic but also because we had the victory of a left-wing government, I keep wondering what would have become of this carnival if there had not been a victory of a left-wing government," emphasizes Ricardo Scofano , doctoral student.
For the carnival community, its cherished causes were in peril under the far-right conservative regime. These included, among others, diversity and gay rights.
"We feel that culture is valued. So I think this will be the Carnival of Redemption, the carnival where samba dancers will enter with more joy and hope for a better future. I'm sure it's going to be great," says Tarcisio Zanon , artistic director of the Viradouro samba school.
In the city, the focus is now on preparing for the carnival, which this year is themed around redemption.
