Economic crisis forces Brazil to cut back on Carnival celebrations

Global Business

Brazil’s economic crisis has forced many local governments to cut back their spending or even cancel some events during the Carnival celebrations.

CGTN’s Paulo Cabral reports.

Many Brazilian cities decided to cancel their official Carnival festivities this year, to save money in times of crisis. Others like the port city of Santos, managed to keep the party going, but on a reduced budget.

Like many mid-sized Brazilians towns, Santos has an annual parade modeled after the world famous Rio de Janeiro Carnival, though it’s smaller and less extravagant. But this year, its 17 samba schools had to make do with half the government grant they received in the past.

The tourism secretary of Santos said even on a tight budget, authorities thought it was essential to find some money for Carnival.

To get ready for the Sambadrome, schools had to resort to cheaper materials like replacing mirrors and natural feathers with bright paint and plastic.

The recession did not stop the samba. And it probably helped revelers take their minds off their financial troubles, even if just for a little while.


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