Rio Carnival takes a stand - 4th March 2020

Rio de Janeiro saw Carnival fill the city with its typical flair in February.

In addition to its famed glitter and glamour, this year’s carnival was heavily laced with political commentary.

After one short year in power, far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and his government have riven Brazil with divisions, attacking everything that Carnival stands for - diversity, LGBT rights and the arts.

Alongside the astounding floats and parade attire symbolising these concerns, others were centred on the environment; Amazon deforestation has soared 85.3 percent in the first year of Bolsonaro’s watch.

Critical of Carnival since entering office in 2016, Rio’s mayor, Marcelo Crivella, withdrew all city funding for samba schools this year. Despite this hardship, the schools dedicated twelve months’ practice and float-building to competing for the crown of Carnival Champions, which was this year claimed by the Viradouro Samba School.