Everybody is aware that Rio-de-Janeiro is celebrating 200 years since the Portuguese Royal family arrived in Rio, but how did Rio-de-Janeiro become what is known for today? Follows below a small summary of Rio de Janeiro historical events:

The Guanabara Bay was first discovered by explorers from Portugal in January, 1502, which is how the January River, as Rio-de-Janeiro translates, gained its name. At that time, 'river' was used by the Portuguese for any larger body of water. Soon after, Europeans from all over were coming there, with French smugglers already taking advantage of the bay by 1519. The first permanent European settlement in the area, called France Antarctique, was founded in 1555 by French naval officer Nicolas Durand de Villegaignon. However, Villegaignon was forced to leave Rio-de-Janeiro two years later after coming into conflict with the rest of the settlers.



Portuguese knight Estácio de Sá officially founded the city in March of 1565, calling it São Sebastião do Rio-de-Janeiro 20 (St. Sebastian of the January 20th River). For many years, the city's common name was São Sebastião. Founded as a base from which to conquer France Antarctique, the French were driven out within two years. The exact site of Rio de Janeiro's founding is at the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain. As it evolved over the years, the entire city was relocated to the top of a hill, according to the Medieval European defensive strategy, bringing the current center of town in a southwesterly direction, an urban shift which continues to this day.

, with slaves from both Africa and domestic areas utilized for the labor. When higher-quality sugarcane from northern districts of Brazil became more popular, this industry went into decline. In 1763, the colonial administration was relocated to the city of Rio-de-Janeiro and it remained mainly a colonial capital until 1808, when the Portuguese royal family had to flee from Napoleon's invasion, winding up in Rio. Thereafter the city served as the kingdom's capital, becoming the only European capital located outside of Europe.



Prince Pedro I declared Brazil's independence in 1822, but by that time the city's economic and political importance was dwindling when compared to São Paulo. However, it remained the capital even after the late 19th Century, when the monarchy was thrown out and a republic established in its place.

Then, in the early decades of the 20th Century, Copacabana Beach's natural beauty combined with the allure of the Copacabana Palace Hotel brought Rio-de-Janeiro the reputation it retains to this day, as the ultimate beach vacation spot.

Belavista Brazil Carnival is a non-commercial blog devoted to wonders of Rio-de-Janeiro with a focus to the Brazilian Carnival. Our sole objective is to describe how Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is magically created, its artists, dancers and musicians that make up the world’s largest show. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns

In Brazil’s Carnival, one of the most disputed unofficial titles is to know who was the ultimate Carnival Muse was for a given year. Brazil media, press, general public, and publicity agency decide who were the most beautiful drum queens or muses parading in Rio’s Sambadrome. There is no official title for this informal contest, but national and international media always try to find THE ultimate carnival Muse for a given carnival. But why does this vibrant contest even exists?

Muses and drum queen have lots to profit in the advertising business, if they are selected as the top Brazilian beauty during carnival. Carnival muses in Brazil are extremely well paid by the publicity market. Beer ads, real estate, cosmetics and fashion-wear, are a few segments that constantly rely on Brazilian beauties to support their brands. Actresses and models then legitimately see carnival as an opportunity to cash in the investment they have made along their carrier.

On the other hand, muse aspirants or wannabes project an image of success during these days that can actually be used all year long. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that! A famous quote by “The girl of Ipanema” songwriter states Vinicius de Moraes says: "The ugly will pardon me, but beauty is fundamental,". Nothing new since “Beauty is truth, truth is beauty” from Keats “Ode on a Grecian Urn”.




Many of the Carnival Muse contenders also see a chance to play important roles on TV soap operas, TV shows and even movies. Some of them, in the other hand, seek more visual approaches, aiming cover of men’s magazine. Nothing wrong with that too! Beauty has its place when appropriately depicted.

In 2008, Brazilian Carnival saw a multitude of muses, disputing this informal title. Below I listed a few muses that could be a contestant in this tight contest:

• Grazi Massafera, model and TV actress
• Tatiana Pagung - actress
• Fabia Borges - Dancer & Performer
• Juliana Paes – TV , Theater and Movie Actress
• Juliana Portela



Whatever is the chosen muse, (I leave you to make the final call), a point aggressively debated in many forums and blogs is why these beauties sometimes represent or misrepresent the Brazilian Carnival. I guess beauty speaks for itself, but Brazilian carnival is obviously much more than this. (In the collective unconscious abroad, Brazilian carnival is linked to nudity). Brazilian women are indeed magically esthetically gifted, and I personally think there is nothing wrong with that. Beauty has been worshiped since the Greeks, Romans, and even before, when our ancestors walked the African plains.

In essence, beauty is much more complex than dichotomous debates with simplistic approaches.


Belavista Brazil Carnival is a non-commercial blog devoted to wonders of Rio de Janeiro, with a focus to the Brazilian Carnival. Our sole objective is to describe how Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is magically created, its artists, dancers and musicians that make up the world’s largest show. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns

One of the most common questions regarding carnival in Brazil, even amongst Brazilians is to know what are the official dates of the Brazilian Carnival. We know it’s not an easy task, since every year the carnival dates are different. In order to help your planning, we decided to supply you with all of the dates through 2030. We don’t want you to miss the Brazilian Carnival of your life:

As we know, Brazil Carnival is a four day event that changes dates every year. But when is this? As dates changes, what are exactly are the Carnival days in a specific year?? It may be sometime in the past - I know what you did last Carnival! But most times it's people trying to plan ahead, like, a decade ahead!

But to know exactly when are the Carnival Dates for any given year, you have to be very very smart. Well, believe it or not, it is not an easy question to answer. You have to be part astrologer, part mathematician, and part priest! Technically, this is the answer:

Carnival usually happen just before Lent, the 40-day period preceding the Easter holiday. The Catholic Easter date was established by the Niceia's Council in the year 325 A.D.

The key then to calculate the right time for it is the equinox, the day when the sun passes the Equator, up to the North, and the first spring day. It is also the first Sunday during or after the year's first full moon. Got it?



Ok, Ok enough of explanations...we have figured it all out for you!

Here are the Official >Brazil Carnival Dates from 2008 until 2030


Official Rio Carnival Dates 2010 through 2039

Carnival Date 2010: February 13th through February 16th
Carnival Date 2011: March 5th through March 8th
Carnival Date 2012: February 18th through February 21st
Carnival Date 2013: February 9th through February 12th
Carnival Date 2014: March 1st through March 4th
Carnival Date 2015: February 14th through February 17th

Carnival Date 2016: February 6th through February 9th
Brazil Carnival Date 2017: Feb 25th through Feb 28th
Carnival-Date 2018: February 10th through February 13th
Carnival- Date 2019: March 2nd through March 5th
Carnival- Date 2020: February 22nd through Feb.25

Brazil_Carnival Date for 2021: February 13th to Feb.16th
Brazil_Carnival Date for Date 2022:Feb. 26th to March 1st
Brazil_Carnival Date for 2023:Feb 18th through Feb 21st
Brazil_ Carnival Date for 2024:Feb 10th to Feb 13th
Brazil_ Carnival Date for 2025: March 1st to March 4th





Carnival Calendar Date for 2026: Feb.14th to February 17th
Carnival Calendar Date for 2027: Feb 6th to February 9th
Carnival Calendar Date for 2028: Feb 26th to Feb.29th
Carnival Calendar Date for 2029: February 10th to Feb 13th
Carnival Calendar Date 2030: March 2nd to March 5th


So, remember! Plan your Brazilian Carnival trip ahead of time. You will not regret the best Brazilian Carnival of your life!


See magnificent picture of Rocinha Samba School dancer in China by Alexandre Vidal:





Belavista Brazil Carnivall is a non-commercial blog devoted to wonders of Rio de Janeiro, with a focus to the Brazilian Carnival. Our sole objective is to describe how Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is magically created, its artists, dancers and musicians that make up the world’s largest show. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns

Today we are going to provide you with an important tip when traveling to Rio-de-Janeiro: Hotels or Vacation beach Rentals?

In case you decided for Rio-de-Janeiro, the best way to go for lodging is to stay vacation beach rental instead of a traditional hotel. The basic reason is that vacation beach apartments have proven to be a winning proposition for local and international tourists who seek for fun, quality, security and privacy in Rio-de-Janeiro.

Many hotels do not allow guests or private invitees in their facilities. In beach vacation rentals, you are able to live the spontaneous life of a true Carioca (name given for those born in city of Rio), while taking profit of the comfort you deserve when traveling abroad. Dream tourists now desire a new kind of proposition for rental accommodations: the enjoyment of a true local experience.



In Rio, there are several rental agency sites that offer these kinds of beach vacation rentals. You can for example choose between accommodations with hot tubs or with a warming oceanfront view for example. You can find furnished apartments and houses in best neighborhoods in town such as Copacabana, Ipanema, Flamengo, Leblon, Leme, Urca, Barra, Botafogo, and Lagoa. Today, there are hundreds of vacation apartments to choose from.

Vacation beach rentals in Rio-de-Janeiro can vary significantly: In most of the cases, you can choose between cheap, budget, economic, quality, luxury and super luxury units in different type of rentals like apartments, penthouses, studios, lofts, houses, condos, bedrooms and even villas! Prices also vary from US$ 30,00 a day for a room to several hundred US$ a week.

Next time when visiting Rio-de-Janeiro ; Brazil plan ahead. Search through the rentals company’s site, choose the vacation apartment, negotiate well the price and reserve the desired option. If you follow carefully these tips, you will have the romatic beach vacation of your life!

Cheers!

Now we understand the origins and costumes of Mestre Sala and Porta-Bandeira, Master of Ceremonies and Samba Flag Bearer, we will finish to explain some of their main attributions.

The main function of Flag Bearer - porta-bandeira [porta bandayeera] is to present to the crowd, judges and press, the Samba Schools Flag. Every Samba-School has a distinctive flag and color, by which their community is represented. Mangueira Samba School for example has as its traditional colors the green and pink. During the parading in the Rio Sambadrome, the Porta-bandeira waves and swirl the banner unfurling it in graceful gestures and reverence, while the Mestre- Sala offers his protection.



For this gesture, the judges will give notes of between 3 and 6 for their presentation and between 2 and 4 for their costumes. The couple do not dance samba but lead with grace and lightness the flag, rapidly spinning around each other in systematic swirls and paces combined with casual and elegant gestures. The Flag-bearer earns points for her lightness, her grace and her noble and presumptuous attitude. Also, during the parade, she kisses the Samba School Flag, in a sign of respect and pride.

The Samba-Host, also known as Samba Master of Ceremonies, whilst courting and presenting his flag-bearing partner protects and exhibits proudly the banner of his samba school. Another attribution of the Mestre-sala is to draw everyone’s attention to `his queen´ and make sure the School Flag attracts photographers´ and media attention. Another interesting aspect of the couple is their samba steps. Unlike other samba dancers, their choreography is refined and delicate, resembling the court dances of France aristocratic palaces. She should “slide” and not dance a true samba, while parading as experts note.




Samba historians say the “Maçu” was the first official Master of Ceremonies In Rio carnaval. He learned the dance steps and movements with Hilário Jovino Ferreira, Getúlio Marinho and Teodoro, legendary samba dancers from the past. Another curiosity of samba history is that many of the first Porta-Bandeiras in early days were men. It was only later on that women picked up that post. Other samba historians point Ubaldo from Portela as the first Mestre- Sala.

In modern days carnival, Selminha Sorriso from Beija Flor< can be considered as one of the best Flag Bearers ever. She has won for several years the maximum number of points possible during the contest: 10 points.

Below we see the couple from Rocinha Samba School in 2008.




Finally, it is worthwhile noting that in common with the Samba School Drum Queen, both posts confers high status to participants. Young kids in the samba communities strive to reach these posts. This couple is so important in a Samba-School that in a parade, there are more than one Mestre-Sala and Porta Bandeira couples. Some schools have 3 couples during one parade.