The Rio Carnival

The festival is the largest in the world. Thousands of visitors come every year for the celebrations before the start of Lent(a fasting period of forthy days before Easter). The carnival takes place in the Sambadrome a huge stadium. There samba schools compete with each other for the best costumes and dancing. They spend a lot of time and money on carnival preparations. masks, decorations and teaching the samba. In the past the carnival procession was held in the streets of Rio, where beautifully clothed people threw streamers and confetti and danced for four days. Now, the world's biggest street party has become a pleasure only for those who can afford the entrance fee.