Brazil Carnival

Bio

I conceived the idea of a web site for the Brazilian Carnival when we found that we had cultural related questions ( and problems) for which we could not readily find answers. My partners are also long-term Cariocas and proud admirers of the Brazilian Carnival culture. At carnival time in Brazil and especially in Rio, everyone, rich and poor, young and old, men and women, boys and girls can participate and indulge in this Carnival spirit fantasies as the city becomes ever more joyful and colorful. The music, the pageantry, the costumes and the street dancing go on for several nights just prior to the beginning of Lent. Many thousands of people participate as each of more than two dozen Samba Schools, each with several thousand members; entertain the city for eighty-two minutes in their turn as they are being judged by a panel of carnival experts. Our website is for the visitors, Brazilian or foreign tourists, to enhance their Carnvial inspiration and experience of the Brazilian Carnival culture by knowing about its origins, traditions and structure. My youthful memories of the Carnival are vivid and represent extraordinary artistic creativity for me. I have never stopped being impressed over the years. I saw the images of love, joy, comedy and human drama represented in the massive floats, Samba School flag-bearers swirling in ballet, Brazilian Samba dancers with their grace, and drum sections with over 200 percussionists so that the Samba energy was palpable. In the 82 minutes allotted to each Samba School, up to 5000 school members parade in full harmony. The questions arose asking how did this come about, who was responsible for the choreography, how did the dancers practice and learn it all and who designed and made those fabulous costumes? I hope you all get to know the true Carnival Spirit