Rio fair re-visitations of roots following quite a while of 'obscurity'

Friday Feb 17 2023

Rio de Janeiro: Get the sparkle, the drums and the jewel-studded two-parter: During that time, Rio de Janeiro will move to the celebrated fair at the end of the week, a memory of the soul of samba after the disruption of the coronavirus and Brazil's acutely troubled races.

The world's largest amusement park, which has actually been going on for a really long time with huge road parties, will officially open on Friday and culminate on Sunday and Monday evenings with the annual samba school marching competition.

Rio held a limited form of the fair last year, which was delayed by two months due to the pandemic and cut short the incredible road parties known as "blocos".

This year, the celebration is back in full swing - - and samba schools are trying to put the finishing touches on the glittering ensembles and behind the ridiculous floats that are their trade names.

"We generally give it everything we have. We work until first light, we rest here, we have no public activities. Whatever it takes to welcome individuals who are blissful on fair day," said Rogerio Sampaio, 54, a company representative . Viradouro samba school.

The fun begins on Friday, when President Eduardo Paes symbolically gives the road to the city to "Lord Momo," the jovial "ruler" who "rules" Rio in a theme park.

An acknowledged festival darling, Paes refers to it as "the best show on the planet".

Authorities are expecting a sold-out crowd of more than 70,000 each night at the "Sambadrome," an arena where 12 top samba schools will compete for the coveted title of marching champions.

Millions more will watch live TV.