Monday, March 7, 2011

Carnaval 2011

Unexpectedly, I've been enjoying Carnaval at home this year. On Saturday night, my boyfriend and I decided to watch all the parades of the best schools (each group is called a "school of samba") and we had a great time. Of course, we were drinking caipirinhas and commenting on every single costume we could see. 

Carnaval is one of Brasil's biggest celebrations - it's really gigantic proportions. This year, it started on Friday, March 4th and it will end on Wednesday. For two nights, the schools from São Paulo will parade down Marques de Sapucaí and for another two nights, it's the turn of the big leagues, the schools from Rio de Janeiro, more traditional and usually, a better spectacle. 

I have never been to either and Carnaval has never been my thing. But, this year, we made a vow to visit Carnaval at least once in our life time. My boyfriend wants to be part of the bateria - the gigantic drums section of each school. 

In the spirit of celebration - and under the influence of caipirinhas, I must say - we danced samba in our living room and marveled on the incredible designs from school Mocidade Alegre Independente, one of the most visually astonishing schools in São Paulo. 

TV Globo Internacional, the top-rated Brazilian channel is broadcasting the parades live until March 9th and it's really something to take a moment and admire. Here are a few images TV Globo International has sent in:














You can follow updates from TV Globo Internacional programming here.

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