Thousands of dancers covered in glitter, feathers, sequins (and little else) take to Rio de Janeiro’s famous Sambadrome for the first night of the annual Carnival parades
- Rio de Janeiro’s world famous annual Carnival is underway with first of two parades taking place Sunday
- Over two nights, 14 samba schools of up to 4,000 dancers each will compete for the Carnival title
- Brazilian authorities believe some seven million people will take part in this year’s Rio Carnival
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Thousands of dancers from Rio de Janeiro’s elite samba schools rolled out their traditional parades of feathers and sequins as the main business of the giant annual Carnival got under way last night.
In total, 14 samba schools from the elite so-called ‘special group’ will be taking part in the parades last night and on Monday evening at the packed purpose-built stadium known as the Sambadrome, to compete for the prestigious Carnival title.
Each school, featuring up to 4,000 shimmering dancers, elaborate giant floats and deafening percussion, will take 75 minutes to parade down the 700 yards long Sambadrome track.
The Carnival formally kicked off Friday with the traditional symbolic passing of a key to the city to the festival’s ‘King’ – unleashing giant street parties known as ‘blocos’ in Rio, Sao Paulo and across Brazil.
Authorities expect seven million people – including one and a half million Brazilian and foreign tourists – to participate in this year’s edition of the gigantic outdoor party.
Queen of the night: A member of the Salgueiro Samba School performs during the first of two parades at 2019 Brazilian Carnival at Sapucai Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Taking the lead: Drum queen Viviane Araujo of the Salgueiro Samba School performs during the first night of Rio’s Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro
Centre stage: Members of the Salgueiro Samba School bring the glitter and glam as they perform during the first night of Rio’s Carnival at the Sambadrome
Stunning display: Drum queen Quiteria Chagas from Imperio Serrani samba school performs as they parade down the venue
A performer from the Imperio Serrano samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio
Feast for the eyes: The several thousand strong Salgueiro samba school take part in the traditional carnival parade
The samba schools of the Rio de Janeiro’s so-called Special Groups began their parades on Sunday at the Sambadrome, considered the main attraction of the carnival in Brazil
Performers from the Salgueiro samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome
he samba schools of the Rio de Janeiro Special Groups began their parades on 03 March at the sambadrome, considered the main attraction of the carnival in Brazil. EPA/Marcelo Chello
Claws are out: Drum queen Raissa de Oliveira from Beija-Flor samba school performs during the first night of the Carnival parade, which sees the 14 samba schools compete for the title
A performer from the Beija Flor samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome
Pure joy: Queen of Percussion Viviane Araujo of Salgueiro performs during Sunday’s display as Rio’s two nights of Carnival parades began in a burst of fireworks, sequins and feathers
Thrilling: Members of Viradouro Samba School, dressed up as zombies, dance during their parade
Each school’s performance can featuring up to 4,000 dancers in full costume as well as elaborate giant floats
Each school is allowed 75 minutes to parade down the 700 yards long Sambadrome track to show off their skills
Queen of Percussion Raissa Machado of Viradouro performs during the parade at 2019 Brazilian Carnival to the cheers of thousands of tourists and locals
Animalistic: Dancers dressed as foxes and coyotes from Beija-Flor samba school perform on a float on Sunday evening
The golden girl: A female performer covered in gold diamantes and feathers dances during Viradouro performance at the Rio de Janeiro Carnival at Sambadrome
Wild night out: A lion, a crocodile and a host of other animals were seen dancing as part of the Neija-Flor samba school’s performance
Enthusiasm: A young performer from the Imperio Serrano samba school is dressed up as a bunch of flowers
Preparations: A performer of the Imperio Serrano samba school gets her winsland arranged before taking part in the first night of Rio’s Carnival parade at the Sambadrome