The Return of Rio’s Street Carnaval (2023)

After two years on hold due to the pandemic which ravaged the country, the return of Rio’s carnaval brought millions of revelers to the city’s streets in an effusive celebration of music, culture and life. From the blocos or street parades that begin at the break of dawn, winding through the streets and hills of Rio’s old downtown neighborhoods to the sound of classic carnaval “marchinhas” to the large neighborhood parties in Rio’s suburbs of the north and west zones that pulse to the beat of funk all night until the early morning hours, where hundreds of groups of bate-bolas (ball-beaters) frighten and amaze in equal measure, the return of the city’s carnaval brought life back to the streets. Assignment for Vice News.