In Brazil, Rio de Janeiro's famous carnival is back in full swing and a little different this year. Following the failed January 8 coup attempt in Brasilia, Rio City Council has decided to inject a political element into the festivities by distributing banners celebrating democracy. The famous street brass bands known as "blocos" have also decided to take part in denouncing the recent anti-democratic stunt. FRANCE 24's correspondants Perrine Juan, Louise Raulais and Jan Onoszko attended the festivities in Brazil.
Following the trauma of the failed January 8 coup attempt in Brasilia and despite the economic crisis, Brazilians are turning out in large numbers for the famous Rio de Janeiro carnival.
"Brazilians suffer a lot because of politics, so what better than to have fun with it, to laugh about it rather than cry about it," says Anderson Feife, one of the members of the "Bloco do Barbas." This band has written a song called "Never lose an erection, you lost the election!", in reference to an infamous comment made by former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
"Free of Covid, free of Bolsonaro, I want to thank heaven, nothing but happiness, which is the very essence of carnival," adds journalist Cassia Bittar, capturing the very spirit of this first carnival taking place since Bolsonaro left office.
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