Dazzling Rio carnival climax gives Brazilians reason to smile

Published February 8, 2016
Revellers of Beija-Flor samba school perform during the carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, February 8, 2016. — Reuters
Revellers of Beija-Flor samba school perform during the carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, February 8, 2016. — Reuters
Revellers of Unidos da Tijuca samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade. ─ AFP
Revellers of Unidos da Tijuca samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade. ─ AFP
A reveller of Unidos da Tijuca samba school performs during the carnival parade. ─ Reuters
A reveller of Unidos da Tijuca samba school performs during the carnival parade. ─ Reuters
The Mocidade samba school Drum Queen Claudia Leitte performs during the carnival parade. ─ Reuters
The Mocidade samba school Drum Queen Claudia Leitte performs during the carnival parade. ─ Reuters
Revellers leave the Sambadrome. ─ Reuters
Revellers leave the Sambadrome. ─ Reuters
Revelers of Grande Rio samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade. ─ AFP
Revelers of Grande Rio samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade. ─ AFP
A reveller of Grande Rio samba school performs during the carnival parade. ─ Reuters
A reveller of Grande Rio samba school performs during the carnival parade. ─ Reuters
Revellers of Mocidade samba school perform during the carnival parade. ─ Reuters
Revellers of Mocidade samba school perform during the carnival parade. ─ Reuters
Performers from Beija Flor samba school parade during the Carnival celebrations. ─ AP
Performers from Beija Flor samba school parade during the Carnival celebrations. ─ AP
Revellers of Grande Rio samba school perform during the carnival parade. ─ Reuters
Revellers of Grande Rio samba school perform during the carnival parade. ─ Reuters
Revelers of Grande Rio samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade. ─  AFP
Revelers of Grande Rio samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade. ─ AFP
Revellers of Grande Rio samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade.  ─ AFP
Revellers of Grande Rio samba school perform during the first night of the carnival parade. ─ AFP
Revellers of Grande Rio samba school perform during the carnival parade at the. ─ Reuters
Revellers of Grande Rio samba school perform during the carnival parade at the. ─ Reuters
Beach volleyball player Sandra Pires (2nd L) and volleyball player Mauricio Lima (3rd L) parade with the Uniao da Ilha samba school during the carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil February 7, 2016.  — Reuters
Beach volleyball player Sandra Pires (2nd L) and volleyball player Mauricio Lima (3rd L) parade with the Uniao da Ilha samba school during the carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil February 7, 2016. — Reuters

RIO DE JANEIRO: Dancers strutted into the final round of the Rio Carnival's samba championship Monday, capping a wild party that has helped Brazilians forget about Zika and other worries.

The six last samba schools were preening their spectacular feather headdresses and adjusting the shining G-strings and other tiny garments favored by lead dancers ahead of the all-night parades.

Another six rival ensembles had their turn through the night on Sunday at the climax of a Carnival season estimated to attract five million people.

A champion samba school will be announced Wednesday, closing an event that calls itself “the greatest show on Earth. “Some 70,000 fans cheered, sang and shook their hips overnight Sunday to Monday in the stands of Rio's purpose-built dancing stadium, the Sambadrome, as competing samba schools passed in a blur of feathers, glitter and flesh.

The outpouring of color, pounding drums, joyful song, and samba dancing helped the crowds put aside fears over the Zika virus, the economy and attempts to impeach President Dilma Rousseff.

“Despite the problems in our country, our people can't lose their love of partying. And whatever happens in our country, it's still the country of samba,” said Luanny Victoria, 19, before heading off to dance in a skimpy golden outfit with vast green feather wings.

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