Carnaval de Bahia 2023

El carnaval de Salvador de Bah�a es una de las mayores fiestas del mundo. En los 6 d�as de duraci�n del carnaval las calles de la ciudad se convierten en una plet�rica fiesta ya que en esa semana solo existe m�sica, baile, fiesta y diversi�n. Es en definitiva el carnaval m�s grande y el m�s divertido de Brasil.

Las fechas oficiales de estas fiestas son del 16 al 21 de febrero de 2023. El jueves por la noche dan comienzo los festejos, en donde la principal atracci�n son los tradicionales �Trios El�ctricos�.

Los Trios El�ctricos consisten en unos enormes camiones provistos de luces y sonido en donde cantan y bailan alguno de los conjuntos bahianos de moda. Los m�s j�venes y aventureros participan en este carnaval como �Pipocas� (palomitas de maiz), que hace referencia a los que van detr�s de los tr�os el�ctricos, mientras saltan y bailan como aut�nticos �popcorns�. Los tres circuitos principales para estos d�as se detallan a continuaci�n:

Circuito Avenidas (Osmar): Con una duraci�n de alrededor de 6 horas, comienza al mediod�a y discurre por las calles del centro de Salvador.

Circuito Dodo (Barra - Ondina): Comienza en Farol de Barra y termina en la playa de Ondina. Con un recorrido de 4 horas es algo m�s el m�s tur�stico y seguro que el �Circuito Avenidas�.

Circuito Pelourinho (Batatinha): Este es el �nico que no dispone de tr�os el�ctricos, solamente cuenta con bandas musicales.

La fiesta se vive en las calles y no en un �Samb�dromo�, tal y como ocurre en el Carnaval de Rio. Se suele decir que en R�o de Janerio solo miras el desfile, mientras que en el Salvador tu formas parte del desfile. Adem�s est� considerada la mayor fiesta callejera del planeta, con una participaci�n que supera los 2 millones de personas (700 000 turistas) y 20 kil�metros de calle.

Curiosidades
� El carnaval de Bah�a es conocido tambi�n con el sobrenombre de �Carnaval de Salvador�.
� Esta celebraci�n es el carnaval m�s grande del mundo por el Libro Guinness de los Records.
� La ciudad es un crisol de culturas y tradiciones de Africa, Europa y Latinoam�rica. El carnaval est� influenciado principalmente por la �cultura yoruba�, un importante grupo etnoling��stico originario del oeste de �frica. As� se recogen sus caracter�sticas y esencia, siendo para muchos... el carnaval m�s divertido de todo Brasil.

Consejos
� Los grupos para desfilar por las calles de Salvador se llaman �blocos� y aunque son de pago son ideales para conocer gente, divertirse y bailar. Los blocos siguen a una determinada banda en particular, mientras recorre las calles en uno de los tres circuitos indicados anteriormente. Existen blocos de diferentes precios, los m�s caros rondan los 300 d�lares y el precio es negociable.

� Si perteneces a un bloco tendr�s que llevar una �Abada�, que es es un chaleco con el que podr�s acceder a las �reas restringidas de ese bloco.

� Las �reas restringidas de los blocos carnavalescos est�n vigiladas por guardias de seguridad, que delimitan la zona de socios con una cuerda (el espacio m�s cercano a las carrozas). Fuera de esas zonas la asistencia es gratuita, siendo la forma m�s barata de asistir a este carnaval... bailando como un aut�ntico �Pipoca�.

� Si no te gusta el ajetreo de las calles o tu cuerpo ya no esta para esos trotes, existe una alternativa m�s tranquila para disfrutar de esta fiesta. Son los llamados �Camarotes�, unas estructuras situadas a lo largo del recorrido en el que se puede observar todo de forma privilegiada. Son de pago y m�s caros que los blocos (alrededor de 600 d�lares), pero ofrecen varios lujos como acceso bebida, comida y pistas de baile.

� Aunque este carnaval es muy seguro conviene permanecer en las zonas tur�sticas. No es recomendable pasear solo durlante la noche. Cuando compras una Abada tienes acceso a uno de los blocos, que est�n en est�n en �reas protegidas. Es una buena idea comprar una Abada para tener acceso a los mismos.

� Los carnavales tienen fechas diferentes cada a�o, ya que se basan en un evento lunar. Aqu� te explicamos cuales son las fechas oficiales para los carnavales del 2023.

Referencias
� Municipalidad de Salvador de Bah�a (web).
� Programa detallado del carnaval en portugu�s (web).

Bahia Carnival
Carnaval de Bahia 2023

Carnival parade in Salvador, Brazil

Also called"The biggest carnival in the world"(Portuguese: O maior carnaval do mundo)
Typecultural, religious
SignificanceCelebration prior to fasting season of Lent.
CelebrationsParades, parties, open-air performances
BeginsThursday before Ash Wednesday (52 days to Easter)
EndsAsh Wednesday noon (46 days before Easter)
2021 dateAfternoon, February 11 –
midday, February 17
2022 dateAfternoon, February 24 –
midday, March 2 (cancelled)
2023 dateAfternoon, February 16 –
midday, February 22
2024 dateAfternoon, February 8 –
midday, February 14
Frequencyannual
Related toCarnival, Brazilian Carnival, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Micareta

Carnaval de Bahia 2023

Bahian Carnival (Portuguese: Carnaval baiano) is the annual carnival festival celebrated in the Brazilian state of Bahia, mainly in its capital, Salvador. Carnaval is right around the corner in this energetic city, where traditions — culinary, musical, literary and more — reflect a deep Afro-Brazilian heritage. More than anywhere else in this multiethnic country, Salvador is steeped in Afro-Brazilian culture — from the worship of Yoruba deities (orixás), to the acrobatic practice of capoeira, to a cuisine tinge. The event lasts officially for six full days: it starts on a Thursday, then follows the usual five days of carnival (from Friday to Wednesday at noon). The term may also be used to comprise related events that happen immediately before or after the carnival in Bahia. Therefore, extending the duration for up to twelve days.

The festival happens simultaneously in many sites, being the most famous the Campo Grande track (in the upper part of the city), Barra-Ondina track (by the shore), and Pelourinho (the historical neighborhood). It features many different rhythms and has performances of several music groups. The most traditional presentations are the trio elétrico parades, and Afro blocks presentations. Estimations state that approximately 2.5 million people (being 1.5 million tourists) participate in the festivities every year.[1] Economic reports show that the festival has a large impact at Salvador’s local economy.[2]

History[edit]

In 1950, Adolfo Dodô Nascimento and Osmar Álvares Macêdo, better known as Dodô and Osmar created the Fobica, an open float adapted for musical presentations, and the trio elétrico was born. By 1952, the term trio elétrico had become generic, in reference to a truck or bus carrying musicians around during Bahian carnival. In 1969, Caetano Veloso's song "Atrás do trio-elétrico" (Behind the trio-elétrico) popularized the Trio Elétrico sound nationwide. Today, the presence of Trio Elétrico trucks is one of the main attractions of the Carnaval da Bahia.[3]

No Carnival will be held in 2021.

Organization[edit]

Preceding events and official opening[edit]

Starting from the new year's eve, several events loosely related to the carnival happen in Salvador. The most traditional is "Lavagem da Escadaria do Bonfim" (English: Washing of the stairways of Bonfim church), which happens since 1745 on the second Thursdays of January. A more recent event is the Salvador Summer Festival, a music festival which usually happens on late January.

Some events that are closely related to carnival take place few days before the official opening. The most traditional is the party for the nomination of the year's Carnival's Queen and King Momo. Moreover, the ensaios de carnaval (English: carnival rehearsals) have become a tradition since the 1990s. Typically, these are private events with informal presentations from the artists that will perform in the carnival.

The official carnival opening in Salvador happens in the Thursday immediately before the Ash Wednesday. It happens exactly one day before the traditional carnival calendar, which starts on Friday. The anticipation happens for commercial reasons only. The official opening follows the tradition as in the rest of Brazil: there is a ceremony where the city major gives a symbolic key of the city to King Momo, whom declares that carnival celebrations are officially opened. Parades already happen in the early evening of Thursday.

The Carnival events[edit]

Parades and other events happen during the six official days of carnival, for an average of 16 hours a day. The municipality defines the ordering, starting and ending times for each carnival block to parade. Delays may result in fines. The components of a block have a predefined meeting time in the beginning of their track, called concentração (English: concentration). After the parade concludes its official track, the trio elétricos go to a special place called dispersão (English: dispersion), where there is no longer separation between members of blocks and the audience. It is not infrequently that artists that were playing in the parade extend their presentations at the dispersion area.

Concurrently to the parades happen the informal "abadá" business. There, merrymakers sell, buy and exchange "abadás" for the different blocks and VIP cabins. Scalpers are present in significant quantity and act freely. The two most common sites are the Aeroclube Mall and Shopping Barra.

Official ending and post-events[edit]

It became a tradition in 2000s that the last regular block to parade is Voa Voa, starting in the morning dawn of Wednesday.

Arrastão (English: big trawler) is the last official event before the carnival ending. It starts on Wednesday early morning, and finishes before noon. There trio-elétricos parade the Barra-Ondina track in backward direction (from Ondina, towards the Barra Lighthouse). There is no separation between the block and the audience. The carnival is officially over at Wednesday noon.

Ressaca de Carnaval (English: Carnival Hangover) are the celebrations following immediately after the carnival ending. Porto Seguro, in the south of Bahia, became prominent site for ressaca. Its format is similar to the trio elétrico street parades in Salvador, with a significant overlap in the performing acts. Morro de São Paulo is another popular site, where there is no official (governmental) organization, and most parties are private.

Within one month after the official ending, some media groups host award gala events to recognize outstanding achievement in the carnival. The most traditional accolades are Dodô and Osmar Trophy (Grupo A Tarde), Band Folia Trophy (Rede Bandeirantes) and Troféu Bahia Folia (Rede Bahia de Televisão). Categories vary between the events. Common ones include best artist, best new artist, best bloco and best song (considered the most prestigious).

Carnival blocos[edit]

Meanwhile, the carnaval blocos began to evolve and branch out into various currents of aesthetic, musical, and even religious manifestations. While members of the afoxés brought their Afro-Brazilian religious cosmology to the Carnaval procession by maintaining their African roots with the puxada do ijexá (a rhythm played in honor of the orixás or Afro-Brazilian deities), the flourishing middle-class blocos mostly relied on carnaval music styled on Rio de Janeiro's samba-enrredos.

Then the Afro-blocos emerged with an aesthetical proposal extrapolated from the Indian blocos, introducing some fundamental innovations in the process: parades revolved around themes and music was tailored to fit the occasion. During this phase, Bahia’s street carnaval was infused with the glamour and elitism propagated by carnaval clubs, initiating a slight reversal of the egalitarian ideal.

Bahian carnival musicians[edit]

With the emergence of new Bahian talent who continued to popularize regional rhythms, Carnaval became more of an organized affair though it somehow retained its informality and contagious spontaneity. The success of Luiz Caldas, Sara Jane, and Chiclete com Banana, along with the evolution of Ilê Aiyê and the emergence of Olodum played a part in transforming Salvador’s Carnaval into the biggest, longest, most itinerant open-air show in the world. The upper and middle classes finally succumbed to the Carnaval–inspired ideal of racial harmony and by the end of the 1980s the pre-Lent celebration entered a process of irreversible debauchery. Street carnaval came to represent the collective identity of Bahian Carnaval.

By the start of a new decade, Bahia's Carnaval became an institutionalized talent factory. The success of precursors such as Luis Caldas, Chiclete com Banana, Ilê Aiyê, Margareth Menezes, and Olodum heralded the convergence of Carnaval and commercial music. Slowly the northeastern and national music markets began to open.

Between 1992 and 1993 Bahian Carnaval became the stage for the greatest success in Brazil's musical landscape yet: Daniela Mercury landed the number-one spot in radio stations throughout Brazil with her samba-reggae hit "O Canto da Cidade". Her show broke public attendance records from Oiapoque to Chuí and she became the first exponent of the new Bahian sound to have a television special on her musical career transmitted on a national station, Rede Globo. Mercury's stunning success radically tore down the preconceptions and barriers that Brazil's musical epicenters had imposed on Bahian music with origins entrenched in carnaval. Ironically, Mercury's huge success on a national scale transformed her into Bahian Carnaval's main artist. She achieved that distinction long after having conquered a niche in Bahia and having participated in many carnavals.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Gabriela Portilho. "O Carnaval que bomba mais é o de Salvador ou o do Rio?" [Which city has the most popular carnival: Salvador or Rio?] (in Portuguese). Editora Abril. Retrieved 2014-10-13.
  2. ^ João Paulo Nucci (2012-02-20). "Carnaval movimenta R$ 2,7 bilhões e gera mais renda que muitas empresas" [Carnival moves R$2.7 billion and generates more income than many companies.] (in Portuguese). IG. Retrieved 2014-10-13.
  3. ^ Collins, John F. (2007). "The Sounds of Tradition: Arbitrariness and Agency in a Brazilian Cultural Heritage Center". Ethnos. 72 (3): 383–407. doi:10.1080/00141840701576992. S2CID 144282064 – via Project Muse.

  • Early history of the Trio Elétrico
  • Carnival in Brazil
  • Salvador - The Capital of Carnival
  • The Aesthetic Escape Hatch: Carnaval, Blocos Afro and the Mutations of Baianidade under the Signs of Globalization and Re-Africanization. Accessed 13 May 2014