CARNAVAL

PowerPoint designed by Danielle Griffin, 2006

What is Carnaval?Carnaval is:

public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus and public street party

the annual pre-Lenten festival; most people in the U.S. know it as Mardi Gras

celebrated as a last indulgence of pleasures that Catholics must give up for 40 days of fasting during Lent, from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday

the word Carnival is derived from Latin, meaning take away or goodbye to flesh, and strict Catholics will give up meat eating during Lent.

CARNAVAL!CARNAVAL!CARNEVALE!CARNEVALE!

CARNIVAL!CARNIVAL!

The festival has many names in different countries. It is:

• Carnaval in Brazil and Mexico• Carnevale in Italy• Carnival in other countries• Carnival Madri Gras in US & France

Where?Brazil: Carnaval in Rio de

Janeiro

Rio de J

aneir

o

Click here to learn more about Brazil

Why?A Little History About Carnaval

Started hundreds of years ago in Europe as festival to welcome springIn 9th century Christianity spread through Europe and before Lent they baked cakes & doughnuts & held parties. They called it carnival because it was the last time before Lent they could eat what they wanted.The first records of Carnival festivities in Rio de Janeiro date back to 1723. Immigrants from the Portugal introduced here the Entrudo (The idea was basically getting everybody soaked wet. and limes.).African ex-slaves introduced Samba to Brazil and started samba schools. Now, samba schools are the main attraction at Carnaval. Celebrates 3 main cultures of Brazil: indigenous, European, and African

When?

Takes place every year February or March before Lent February is summer in Brazil

4 days and 5 nights Ends on Ash Wednesday

Children participate during the day Next year CARNAVAL is February 17,

2007

Who?Costumed parents and children join in the parades during the dayEveryone participatesPeople around the world visit Rio for CarnavalNeighborhoods organize into groups called samba “schools’ and perform

How is Carnaval celebrated in Rio?

Best part is the Samba Schools Parade

Giant puppets & clowns walking on tall

stilt

Brass bands play

Street performers

Samba ParadeEach Samba School is made up of a group of people from different neighborhoods May be 3,000-5,000 dancers & musicians in one school14 schools take part in itDancers and musicians train all year to be in Samba paradeDuring Carnaval, judges vote for best school

Sambadome: Home to the Samba Parade

The Concentration

Getting dress for parade

Sambadome

The ConcentrationWaiting to perform

The ConcentrationGetting floats ready

Av. Marquês de Sapucaí Street

PowerPoint designed by Danielle Griffin, 2006