Rio Carnival Cancelled for the First Time in a Century

We saw many popular festivals go virtual, while a lot were cancelled during this pandemic. The last of which is Brazil. The country has decided to postpone its world-famous samba carnival parade.

For over a century, Rio's carnival was an unstoppable event. It has been held during the worst of times in human history during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, and both the World Wars, and even during Brazil&rsquos military dictatorship. The carnival has never stopped. In 2008, despite the dengue outbreak that affected more than 200,000 people, the dance and music went on.

However, for the first time since 1932 when Rio&rsquos samba parade became official, the organisers have decided to suspend it. The cancelling/postponing of the event will deprive the city of one of its important revenue sources. And of performances that play a major role in the political commentary of the country.

The suspension due to the pandemic that has&nbspkilled more than 142,000 people &mdash second only to the United States &mdash has left the city of Rio reeling.

While the city&rsquos leading samba organisations found that the event wouldn&rsquot be safe until the world has found a vaccine, some from the army of dancers, choreographers, costume makers and set designers who produce the dazzling costumes and floats oppose the move. They say their loss is personal as well as financial.

However, the Independent League of Rio de Janeiro Samba Schools (LIESA) issued a statement that the event is being postponed and not cancelled. The body also said that they are considering an alternative solution to safely conduct the event.