Colorful Dazzling Brazilian

Colorful dazzling Brazilian Carnival starts flamboyantly 

The beautiful land of Brazil plays host to the most celebrated event on the planet, the Rio Carnival, a weeklong celebration leading up to Lent in the Christian calendar . The Carnival of Brazil falls on a different date every year, about 40 days before Easter. From Friday to Ash Wednesday - February 8-13 in 2013 - Brazilians close their offices and shops, and throw themselves into the world's most famous manifestation of freedom and happiness, day and night, on and off the hot crowded beaches, at the peak of summer.

Known as the Greatest Show on Earth, thousands of visitors from all over the world flock to Rio to experience sensational parades with the mesmerizing beats of the samba drums, and most importantly, costumed samba dancers in attire ranging from the intricately designed to the outrageous. While carnival parties are held throughout the city, the main action takes place at the Sambadrome where twelve Samba schools strut their stuff at the Samba Parade


For Brazil, Carnival 2013 is an important test of the city's infrastructure ahead of the big sporting events lined up for the future, including the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016, says the BBC's Julia Carneiro in Rio.
Undoubtedly, what captures the eyes of millions of viewers from around the world are the dazzling and glittering costumes painstakingly designed by members of the samba schools. From the incredibly sexy to the flamboyant and outlandish, each costume has a story to tell.


This year, more than 700 processions will make their way through various parts of the city, with US actress Megan Fox among the international celebrities expected to take part.

 The carnival is set to draw 1.1m tourists to Rio, generating some $650m (£410m) for the local economy. Hotels and restaurants are booked almost to capacity.