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It's Carnival! (But Crisis Hangover Looms)

Money dries up, but Brazil keeps on partying

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 23, 2009 8:21 AM CST

(Newser) – Wednesday is the start of Lent, but until then millions are sambaing in the streets of Brazil in the days-long bacchanal known as Carnival. While the celebrations in Rio de Janiero are as big as ever, the economic crisis is taking its toll on the massive party. Corporate sponsorship for the multimillion-dollar productions has dried up, reports AFP, and the federal and local governments have had to step in.

President Lula is in Rio for the first time for Carnival, after his government provided $3 million to the competitive samba schools to replace lost funding. Many on the streets and in the massive Sambodrome said that this year's celebrations may be the last mega-sized Carnival in some time. Until then, though, the party continues; as one tourist said, "It's like being at a football game, only with naked ladies."

Paola Oliveira, queen of the drums' section of Grande Rio samba school, dances during carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Quiteria Chagas, queen of the drums' section of Imperio Serrano samba school, dances at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009. Brazil's carnival celebrations is held Feb. 21-24. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

A dancer performs on a Unidos da Tijuca samba school during carnival parade at the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Ricardo Moraes)

A dancer performs during the Mocidade samba school carnival parade at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

A dancer performs during the Vila Isabel samba school carnival parade at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Dancers perform on a Grande Rio samba school float at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009. The Grande Rio Samba school parade pays tribute to France during Carnival. (AP Photo/Ricardo Moraes)

A dancer performs on an Imperio Serrano samba school float at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009. Brazil's carnival celebrations are being held Feb. 21-24. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

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It's Carnival! (But Crisis Hangover Looms)

Money dries up, but Brazil keeps on partying

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Carnival Samba Queen, 7, Breaks Down

Rio spotlight too much for youngest drum corps queen

Brazil Govt. Targets Carnival Debauchery

Sex-crazed partygoers get free condoms, morning-after pills

Rio Carnival Revelers to Get 3M Free Condoms

City doesn't want an STD festival

Baby Samba Queen Finishes Last

7-year-old's breakdown knocks group down into 2nd division

Rio Gets Party Started at Dawn

First full day of Carnival is nothing to mess around with

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It's Carnival! (But Crisis Hangover Looms)

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Brazil • Rio de Janeiro • Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva • samba • Carnival • economic downturn

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Carnival Samba Queen, 7, Breaks Down

Rio spotlight too much for youngest drum corps queen

Brazil Govt. Targets Carnival Debauchery

Sex-crazed partygoers get free condoms, morning-after pills

Rio Carnival Revelers to Get 3M Free Condoms

City doesn't want an STD festival

Baby Samba Queen Finishes Last

7-year-old's breakdown knocks group down into 2nd division

Rio Gets Party Started at Dawn

First full day of Carnival is nothing to mess around with

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Newser By Users

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What is Newser?