carnival

Brazil celebrates Carnival

Brazil celebrates Carnival

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Dressed in hand-embroidered velvet costumes, mounted on beautiful horses, Brazilians celebrate Carnival with confetti and streamers in a tradition that dates back to the 18th century, turning the war between the Moors and Christians into a religious festival.

Brazil’s Carnival season begins despite Zika health scare

Brazil’s Carnival season begins despite Zika health scare

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RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazilian Carnival could be called a hungry mosquito’s dream — five days of non-stop street parties that bring together millions of revelers in an inviting mass of bare ankles, uncovered legs and denuded torsos. So the mosquito-borne Zika virus might be expected to dampen this year’s debauchery.

But despite warnings to cover up and slather on repellent, the show went on as it always has, in just a sprinkling of sequins and a few puffs of feather. Pants, long-sleeve shirts and bug spray, they say, are antithetical to the hedonistic, out-of-control spirit of Carnival.

“We need joy,” said Angela Pessanha, a self-described “Carnival nut” and owner of a home furnishings store. “And Carnival is the easiest way of doling out a stiff dose of joy to everyone.”

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Italy celebrates Venice Carnival 2016

Italy celebrates Venice Carnival 2016

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Revelers descended upon St. Mark’s Square, in Venice, Italy over the weekend for this year’s Venice Carnival. Carnival-goers are being asked by police to momentarily lift their masks as part of new anti-terrorism measures for the annual festivities. This year’s Carnival theme is “Creatum” — a new start, or rebirth of Venice’s origins — and runs until Feb. 9.

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Northern Spain’s La Vijanera festival

Northern Spain’s La Vijanera festival

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The La Vijanera masquerade, of pre-Roman origin, took place in the small village of Silio, northern Spain, on Sunday. It is the first carnival of the year in Europe symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and involving the participation of crowds of residents wearing different masks, animal skins and brightly colored clothing. The festival has its own complex function and symbolism in becoming the living example of the survival of archaic cults to nature.
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