Top 5 South American carnival destinations
Friday, 22nd January 2010
Every February South America is filled with colourful carnival parades and some of the loudest and liveliest parties in the world. Here's a pick of the top 5 to visit this year...
1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The most famous carnival in South America is the one in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which takes place from 13th-16th Feburary in 2010 and attracts people from all over the world. One of the highlights of this is samba parade competition in which large groups of people known as samba schools from different neighbourhoods of the city take part. They each choose a different theme each year and spend all year practising their music and dancing, and preparing their costumes and floats. There are also street carnivals in different parts of the city with bands and dancers wearing all sorts of elaborate costumes, as well as balls and dance parties where dressing up is encouraged.
2. Salvador da Bahia, Brazil
Another famous Brazilian carnival, also known as the world’s largest party, is held in Salvador da Bahia on the north east coast of Brazil and attracts several million people each year. While the costumes aren’t as eleborate and spectacular as in Rio, there is a greater variety of music – not just samba – and most of the top Brazilian musicians and singers perform there. The bands parade slowly around the city on trucks known as trios electricos, and you can join them, watch from special stands known as camarotes along the route, or just watch and listen from wherever you can find space. In 2010 the Salvador carnival is from 11th to 17th February.
3. El Callao, Venezuela
Each February a large carnival takes place in El Callao in the Venezuelan state of Boliva featuring a mixture of music and costumes from Venezuela, the West Indies and the French Antilles. There are also carnivals in other parts of Venezuela, including Los Tambores de Bariovento and Trinidad.
4. Azuero, Penonme, and Panama City, Panama
Carnival celebrations are held all over Panama, with the largest in Azuero, Penonme, and Panama City the captial. These celebrations are huge parties with parades, music, dancing and amazing costumes. One particular Panamanian tradition is the throwing water at one another, or mojadera, which is a bit fun and helps keep people cool, so it’s not a good idea to wear your best clothes if you’re joining in. In 2010 these carnivals will be from 13th-16th February.
5. Gualeguaychú, Argentina
Each year the city of Gualeguaychú in the north east of Argentina holds major carnival celebrations where you can enjoy fabulous costimes, music and dancing. These events are held on Saturdays in the corsódromo, a large, purpose-built stadium, and feature hundreds of dancers and muscians.
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Tags: spanish, french, festival, argentina, brazil, panama, language, course, language course, venezuela, portuguese, south america, carnival
Posted by Simon Ager under Experience Cultures,
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