Carnival kicks off in Rio, presided by festival royalty

Latin America

Rio de Janeiro kicks off five days of carnival celebrations with some 5 million people are expected to party with the king of carnivals in Brazil.

CGTN’s Lucrecia Franco reports.

Carnival is underway in Rio with hundreds of street bands in full swing. King Momo presides over a party among the biggest on earth. Fabio Damiao, a 31-year-old singer from Rio de Janeiro, sits in the role named after Momus, the Greek god of mockery.

He, along with his queen and princess, was elected in a contest last year. Wherever Fabio goes he is welcomed by a band playing carnival music.

From now until the end of carnival, King Momo will reign. His job is to keep the city in a constant state of joy and happiness.

He greets visitors in bus stations and airports, pose for photos and attends an average of 10 street parties and parades everyday. “Our work is now 24/7, intense, heavy, but it so fulfilling. It is a pleasure,” Fabio said.

Though their kingdom suffers a deep recession, carnival helps Brazilians to forget their troubles and dance.