The festival of all senses

Hedonism of all kinds.

Parade extravaganza.

Unruly festival of dance and images of local folklore.

How far is the description used, how much of it written, how many images seen and how much "ah, I wish that I was there" sighs discharged, and all for one and the same reason - the Brazilian carnival, the one recognizable in every corner of our planet for its colorful, sound samba and perfect bodies in the streets of Brazilian cities.

This year started on Friday 4 March, a ceremony where the Carnival King received the keys from the Mayor of Rio, and end one hour before midnight on Tuesday 8th March.

Carnival is basically a religious holiday, even it is a start date, which varies from year to year, tied to a religious cause - exactly 46 days before Easter, when start the post. After all, the term "carnival" comes from the word "karnelevare", literally "the removal of meat. " A carnival celebrations have roots in pagan festival of Saturnalia, when they said good-bye to bad things and "good day" religious discipline.

Although most of those who enjoy the parade through the television images, linked only Carnival in Rio de Jeneiro or Sao Paulo, it should be noted that this feast is in every town and village in Brazil! Residents of this South American country still say they are best implemented, with most music, noise, joy in the streets, squares and beaches, not in Rio, but in small towns such as Salvador, Recife and Porto Seguro, where the audience and becomes part of the official parade, which moving through the city, mixing with performers.

At first glance an overall relaxed atmosphere threatens to easily grow into the chaotic state, but in all there are order and prudence.

Especially in those biggest parades in Sao Paulo and Rio, led by the schools of samba. After all, despite all the challenges and colorful, carnival is primarily a place for the competition of these schools that prepare all year for those two days parading, but only in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, not in other cities.

Competition 12 selected schools, conducted in the "Sambodromo" real stadiums where the samba is held the night of carnival, which begins in 22 hours and lasts up to six in the morning. Carnival has two main days that last for competitions and parades. In Sao Paulo this Friday and Saturday, in Rio de Janeiro Sunday and Monday and this is the difference between the two town carnival. Ticket prices range from 30 up to 500 euros for the best seats in the stands with a beautiful view at 700 meters long track that meet the school of samba.

Each of them choose the story, on whose motives they organizing the show. One school has about 500 participants, of whom, believe it or not, only twenty are girls. School parade takes exactly 1 hour and 10 minutes, and the jury especially assess accuracy, because the points lost for each excess minute.

Now it seems unbelievable , but South Americans for this " festival of festivals " should thank Europe , specifically Paris whose masquerades in the streets was a direct model for the first carnival in Rio 1641st year.