Rio de Janeiro will welcome an estimated 5 million people at its Carnival celebrations this weekend, signaling a comeback for Brazil after two years of COVID-19 put celebrations on hold.
The biggest event in the country’s annual cultural calendar, Rio’s festivities were canceled altogether in 2021 and only held on a limited form last year as the virus was still being brought under control.
This year’s packed festivities will be an opportunity to boost the economy of Brazil’s main tourist destination and help rebuild the country’s international brand, which is still struggling after the pandemic, according to Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes.
