Rio`s Carnival bacchanal opens, city celebrates
Baku, March 5 (AZERTAC). Covered in confetti and to the sound of drums, Rio`s mayor handed the key to the city to the mythical figure who reigns over the chaos of Carnival, officially opening this seaside city`s five-day annual exaltation of music, booze and flesh.
“It`s with much joy that I hand over command of this city to King Momo,” said mayor Eduardo Paes, himself a samba dancer and percussionist who plays in the city`s annual parade.
The rotund King Momo embodies Carnival, a raucous free-for-all where excesses are encouraged and the natural order of things is turned upside down: men dress as women, the poor parade as kings, rules are bent and everyone escapes their drab daily existence for a few days of catharsis.
This year`s king, the crowned and costumed Milton Rodrigues, flanked by the Carnival queen and two princesses, said it was time to put aside the city`s problems and focus on the joy of being a resident of this beautiful place. Much is in store for Rio, he said: the upcoming World Cup and the 2016 Olympic games, and the time to start celebrating is now.
“As the king of the party, I declare the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro is officially open,” Rodrigues said. “Long live Rio, and long live Carnival!”
This year the celebration is expected to draw about 756,000 visitors, both foreign and Brazilian, who will pack hotels to nearly 100 percent capacity and spend about $559 million, according to Rio state`s tourism department.
Rio has had a King Momo since the 1930s, when the first one _ a rotund, hard-drinking sports journalist _ was chosen by colleagues to parade around town in a crown and colorful costume, spreading the party spirit.
As with that first King, Momo traditionally was required to carry extra weight. He is, after all, the standard-bearer for all things excessive. Until 2004 Rio had a requirement that anyone competing for the post had to weigh at least 330 pounds (150 kilograms). With diabetes and obesity on the rise in Brazil, Rio removed the weight requirement. Many other cities have followed.
Carnival is the world`s biggest manifestation of happiness, merrymaking, extravagance. It`s a massive getting rid of all the stresses of every day, and it brings a sense of peace and togetherness.
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