Rio de Janeiro Carnival 2023 officially kicks off

The mayor of the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, handed over the key to the city to King Momo yesterday, Friday, marking the official start of Carnival 2023.

Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival is known as the country’s most significant popular festival and one of the largest carnival celebrations in the world.

This year, it could return to its traditional date, as in 2022, it had to be held in April, and there were no street celebrations due to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“Last year, still under the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we could not celebrate as we would have liked this significant holiday, which has a spirit of humor and joy,” said Paes.

The mayor, who is a big fan of Carnival, said, “this is a critical moment for those who exercise the honorable role of mayor of the most incredible of all cities, Rio de Janeiro.”

“It is with great joy, celebrating life and democracy, that I have the honor of handing the city’s key to King Momo. Long live Rio Carnival!”.

King Momo, Djferson Mendes, a symbolic monarch during the Carnival celebrations, did not hide his joy upon receiving the key to the city.

“After two years of the pandemic, this Carnival is historic. It is with great honor that I declare Carnival officially inaugurated,” said Mendes, with the Carnival queen and two Carnival princesses at his side.

Before the Carnival and the next few days, more than 400 parades of comparsas will animate the attendees through the streets of Rio de Janeiro.

The Marquês de Sapucaí, or sambadrome, opens this Friday to receive the Golden Series samba schools’ parades; on Sunday and Monday nights, the Special Group schools will perform.