Brazil’s Carnival Takes Centre Stage
Photo (Recife, Pernambuco)
Every February and March, millions gather in Brazil to celebrate Carnival. Known as “The Greatest Show on Earth”, the iconic festival lights up the biggest country in Latin America. What is the history behind this important celebration in Brazil, how is it viewed by locals, and how is it an opportunity to increase their global influence?
The origins of Carnival dates back many centuries. The event commences on the Friday prior to Shrove Tuesday and ends on Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the 40-day Lent period. In the lead up to Lent, Roman Catholics and some Protestants would abstain from eating meat and poultry, hence the name ‘carnival’ from the Latin word carnelevare, meaning to ‘remove meat’. Upon the arrival of Portuguese settlers around the 1600s, the celebration evolved to small balls and masquerade dances, Following this, Brazil's African population shaped the festival, as labourers in the slave trade incorporated new musical and costuming elements such as African rhythms, dance, and the use of feathers. This complex history contributes to the modern-day Carnival which represents a mix of African, Portuguese and Indigenous culture.
The multi-million dollar affair is not only a celebration of art, dance and music. Brazil’s international soft power has economic benefits for the nation, with Carnival delivering a significant financial boost. In 2019, the festival contributed around 7.91 billion Brazilian reals to the local economy. It is estimated that 25,000 temporary jobs are created during this period. This event generates income for many Brazilians who probably would not have an occupation if Carnival did not exist. Altogether, around 2.1 million tourists attend the annual Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro alone.
Photo (Caraguatatuba, São Paulo)
Although many Brazilians turn to Carnival celebrations as relief from the instances of violence and corruption, it also brings increased rates of crime and reports of human trafficking. Research from February 2020 showed that 48% of women who attended the festival had been sexually harassed. Recent efforts have been introduced by the police to crack down on the child sex trade which increases during the festival. Public opinion on Carnival shows that 40% of Brazilians believe the event may project a negative image for the country.
Months of preparation go into making the costumes, choreographing dances and rehearsing music performances, before the event is viewed by millions. Other countries around the world also join in the celebrations, with notable cities including Basel in Switzerland and Venice in Italy, as well as the tropical islands of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean, hosting their own twists on the event. Wherever you travel, you are sure to find the chance to join a samba dance, and move to the rhythm of tambourines and beating drums.
Photo (Brazil Flag)
Whilst Rio de Janeiro hosts the country’s most famous blocos (essentially a massive street party), the cities of Salvador and Recife are also well-known for their celebrations. The grand display of art, costumes, music and dance encapsulates the infectious nature of Brazilians. Recife attracts millions of visitors to the city for six days of celebrations. Home to the Galo da Madrugada, the largest carnival group on the planet, this parade fills the city centre of Recife with over 2.5 million participants. In Rio, over 100 samba schools gather, each with around 3000-5000 members and representing their neighbourhood, displaying their own unique colours, flag and distinct costume styles.
Consequently, many foreigners automatically think of Carnival when someone mentions Brazil. This international cultural power shows it is a worldwide recognised event. Carnival offers an insight into the diverse and rich nature of Brazil, a country known for its creative diversity of cultural expressions. Although, once you travel to the country, you quickly realise that there is so much more to this incredible place. The year only truly begins once Carnival is over, according to 47% of Brazilians. The event is a significant holiday not just in Brazil, but increasingly in other countries.
The words Carnival and Brazil go hand in hand. Their global influence has grown by harnessing this festival to lift their international standing. Every year millions of tourists flock to Brazil to join in these celebrations. However, there is still some way to go towards eliminating the violence and illegal criminal activity during this period. If achieved, Carnival is not just a chance for Brazil to highlight their culture, but an opportunity to leverage their soft power and diplomatic influence across the globe.
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