The 2022 Rio Carnival has come to a triumphant and spectacular end, with many having had to wait what has felt like an incredibly long time to be able to enjoy this incredible festival.
Typically hosted on an annual basis and part of Rio de Janeiro’s calendar, Brazilians and individuals from around the world have been unable to take part in traditional celebrations and festivities because of the global pandemic.
Indeed, this year’s edition was the first one in two years where they were able to go out and fully enjoy all of the incredible samba music and dance, whilst wearing some of the most extravagant costumes to have ever been created!
Brazilians and Carnival lovers would have had to get creative in recent years
As so many have had to wait for so long to be able to enjoy the Carnival, some will have turned to other forms of entertainment that have taken inspiration from the celebration in order to get their annual dose.
Naturally, some will have looked to play games that feature the themes of the event, with a number of slots including titles like Rio Riches, Rio Fever, and Rio Pleasures where they are able to enjoy incredibly immersive gameplay sessions where they are able to see the bright colors and experience the exceptional Samba music that is synonymous with the event!
Furthermore, there will have been some that will have looked at films as a way in which they could fill the void of being unable to celebrate Rio Carnival over the last few years. There have been a number of different movies that have been created in the past that truly bring this event to life, including titles like Black Orpheus (1959), and Carnival in Rio (1954) among some of the best!
What is the Rio Carnival? A brief history
The Rio de Janeiro Carnival is one of the most famous carnivals in the world and attracts millions of people from all over the world every year, according to some estimates. It has been suggested that around 2 million people take to the streets every day during the celebrations, too!
It is thought to have begun in 1641 when a group of young men formed a club dedicated to singing, dancing, and revelry. This club eventually became known as Cordão-do-Bola Preta and gave rise to the first formalized carnival celebrations in nearby Olinda.
By 1723, it had become an official part of Rio’s yearly calendar, with all schools participating by parading through the streets together. Eventually, these parades evolved into elaborate costumed balls that would become an integral part of Rio’s Carnival celebrations for centuries to come.
Over time, the Carnival grew in scope, incorporating music and dance from all corners of Brazil. Today, it is a massive celebration that lasts for almost two weeks each year and involves millions of people who don’t elaborate costumes and head to the streets to party together. The floats are huge and spectacular, often with themes from famous movies or TV shows. Some even have celebrity guests riding on them!
Additionally, there are hundreds of different street parties – known as blocos – that regularly take place throughout Carnival, with each of these being rather casual but still epitomizing everything that the event is about, with costumes and samba music blaring out!
Samba music is an integral part
As we mentioned early, no carnival celebration would be complete without the samba music. Samba is an energetic style of Brazilian dance music that originated in favelas (slums) in Rio de Janeiro.
It became popular across Brazil thanks to its catchy beats, fast pace, and contagious energy – so much so that it has become synonymous with Brazilian culture. Although the modern form of samba music was popularized in Rio, it actually originated in Bahia, a state on Brazil’s northeast coast. In fact, it is still very popular there today and has become an integral part of the region’s cultural heritage.
To further highlight the global appeal Carnival has, the celebrations in Rio have inspired similar festivals around the world, perhaps most notably in New Orleans, where Mardi Gras takes place every year. As Carnival draws closer each year in Brazil, people flock to the streets to dance their hearts out alongside millions of fellow revelers! There truly is no party like a Brazilian carnival party!