Rio de Janeiro is set to come alive as the world turns its gaze toward the 2025 Carnival, one of the most anticipated events globally, blending rich history with vibrant cultural celebrations. The Carnival, with its samba rhythms and extravagant parades, stands as the epitome of Brazilian spirit, drawing millions of participants and international tourists alike.
The roots of the Rio Carnival can be traced back to European traditions, particularly Portuguese and Italian festivities brought to Brazil in the 18th century. Initially, the celebration revolved around masked balls and the water games of the Portuguese "Entrudo," where revelers would drench one another with water, flour, and mud to mark the pre-Lenten season. Though rooted in deep religious significance, the modern Rio Carnival has transformed, embracing both popular festivities and maintaining aspects of its Christian origins as it precedes Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.
Over the decades, Rio's Carnival has morphed dramatically. By the late 19th century, street parades began to emerge, featuring musicians and dancers, with samba, born from African influences, becoming its heartbeat. The first samba school, Deixa Falar, was founded in 1928, marking the start of organized Carnival celebrations. The establishment of the Sambódromo Marquês de Sapucaí in 1984 allowed the parades to flourish, showcasing elaborate performances from various samba schools. This venue now hosts the grandeur of Carnival, offering competitors and spectators glimpses of elaborate costumes and passionate performances.
Last year alone, approximately 70,000 spectators filled the Sambódromo to witness the dazzling displays of dance and color. Beyond the main event, Rio's streets become open-air stages for more than 500 official blocos, or street parties, where millions join together to dance through the city. Iconic blocos like "Bloco da Preta" and "Cordão do Bola Preta" draw crowds exceeding one million, showcasing the event’s vast popularity.
The economic impact of Carnival is substantial. The 2024 celebration generated over 1 billion reais (around 180 million euros) through tourism, food services, and cultural events, with over 2.5 million visitors expected, including more than 400,000 international tourists. Hotels and airlines increase their capacities to meet the demand, highlighting Carnival's role as significant not just for local culture but also for the economy.
Organizing such colossal events requires immense effort—from costume designers to dancers, with some samba schools investing nearly 10 million reais (1.8 million euros) to perfect their performances for the ultimate prize of winning the championship title. To attend Rio Carnival is to engage with the very essence of Brazilian culture, infused with joy and unity.
Yet amid the celebrations, there exist undercurrents of societal issues, especially concerning the representation of Afro-Brazilian religions during Carnival. Leandro Vieira, artistic director for the Imperatriz Leopoldinense samba school, emphasizes this conflict, noting how the grandeur of the samba parade often overshadows the discrimination faced by Afro-Brazilian religions such as Candomblé and Umbanda, which are celebrated during the festivities yet often marginalized throughout the rest of the year.
Recent reports indicate alarming trends, with incidents of violence against practitioners of these faiths growing. Just weeks before the 2025 Carnival, many Afro-Brazilian temples, or terreiros, have been vandalized, causing distress among practitioners like Fernanda Marques Franco dos Anjos, who leads the Caboclo Pena Dourado terreiro. Her emotional recount of the recent destruction of her temple—a place for worship—highlights the precarious balance between cultural celebration and societal acceptance.
Statistics show nearly 600,000 Brazilians claim adherence to African-origin religions, yet the legislative framework does little to protect them from rising threats. Discrimination extends to the public sphere as well, as priests fear representing their beliefs openly due to threats against their livelihoods and personal safety. The recent reports suggest discriminatory acts have surged by 81% from the previous years, signaling deep socio-cultural challenges faced by these communities.
Ivanir dos Santos, of the Observatório das Liberdades Religiosas, draws attention to the political climate, where evangelical groups increasingly challenge the heritage of Afro-Brazilian spirituality. "Our ancestors survived slavery, and we continue to endure," explains Ivanir, invoking the spirit of resilience among those targeted for their beliefs.
Despite the threats faced, Carnival continues to serve as the most visible representation of Brazil’s cultural diversity, with samba schools often incorporating elements of Candomblé and Umbanda rituals within their performances. This intersection of celebration and critique fosters discourse about identity and heritage, urging spectators to celebrate the culture deeply and acknowledge the struggles faced by its practitioners.
Maria Eduarda Oliveira, a young hairdresser and Candomblé devotee, notes how societal prejudice remains pervasive, recalling her experiences of ridicule linked to her faith. Yet she sees the Carnival as pivotal, allowing her and others to express their identities publicly and joyously.
The 2025 Rio Carnival promises to be not only an event of magnificence but also one of reflection—a celebration where laughter coexists with the urgent need for societal change, and the joy of samba marches hand-in-hand with the call for equality and respect. Beyond the festivities, the Carnival serves as powerful advocacy for the many voices intertwined within the fabric of Brazilian culture—the legacy of those who thrived against odds.
With much to anticipate, the spirit of "Alegria!"—joy—permeates the build-up to Carnaval. Be it through the elaborate displays at the Sambódromo or the spontaneous energy of street blocos, Rio de Janeiro stands ready to impress and inspire audiences from around the world, holding true to the promise of hope, resilience, and cultural pride.