One of the most popular sentences in Brazil due to "Carnaval", it is definitely one of the most famous and vibrant festivals in the world. It's celebrated annually and is a time of elaborate costumes, samba music, dancing, parades, and street parties. The festival is deeply ingrained in Brazilian culture and is celebrated across the country, with Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador, and Recife/Olinda being some of the most famous destinations for Carnival festivities.
Each city has its own unique way of celebrating Carnival. In Rio de Janeiro, the highlight is the samba parade, where samba schools compete in elaborate performances at the ‘Sambódromo’. São Paulo also hosts a massive samba parade, although it's slightly different from Rio's. Salvador's Carnival is famous for its ‘trio elétrico’ trucks, which carry bands playing Axé music through the streets, accompanied by a lot of people dancing behind them. In Recife and Olinda, Carnival features traditional music styles like frevo and maracatu, with colourful costumes and lively street celebrations.
Carnival is not just a time for Brazilians to celebrate but also attracts tourists from all over the world who come to experience the energy, music, and culture of this iconic festival. It's a time of joy, expression, and unity, where people from all walks of life come together to revel in the spirit of Carnival.
In Australia, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a significant cultural event that celebrates LGBTQ+ pride and diversity. It originated as a protest march in 1978 and has since evolved into a vibrant festival featuring a parade, parties, performances, and other cultural events. Similar to other Mardi Gras celebrations, the Sydney event features colourful costumes, elaborate floats, music, and dancing, but it also serves as a platform for activism and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and issues. It is a significant and internationally recognized festival in its own right, celebrating diversity, inclusion, and equality.
Either you are in Brazil or in Australia, is it right to say that the year only starts after these festivities, right?