Rio de Janeiro (dpa) – The highlight of Rio de Janeiro's world-famous Carnival was a dazzling parade of dance and color at the city's Sambadrome. Seven elite samba schools featuring thousands of members competed late Sunday before a crowd of more than 70,000 for the 2012 Carnival title, with the remaining six to show off their prowess on Monday. Dancers wore elaborate costumes, but also revealed plenty of skin in the southern hemisphere summer. “I'm not at all tired. Carnival is only just starting for me, and I'm super happy,” said Ellen Rocche, samba queen of the Porto da Pedra school. Porto da Pedra appeared Sunday at the Marques de Sapucai Sambadrome's 700-meter parade stretch, to tell the story of yoghurt through song and dance. “Yoghurt is a symbol of health, joy and vitality, all of them synonymous with our Carnival,” said a Porto da Pedra official, explaining the unusual theme. For its parade, the Renascer de Jacarepagua samba school, new to the top tier of Rio's Carnival groups, described Brazilian neo-pop artist Romero Britto. Its huge float featured trampolines. Unidos de Vila Isabel astounded many with its homage to Angola. “We are a culture that goes on board a slave ship, the chains of slavery. We have Angola's blood running through our veins, its fight and liberation,” the school sang, to honour Afro-Brazilian culture and the African roots of samba music. Beija Flor, the winner of last year's Carnival, depicted the history of Sao Luis, a city of about 1 million people in the north-eastern Brazilian state of Maranhao, which is celebrating its 400th anniversary this year. Beija Flor also referred to Brazil's African roots, with floats also featuring the invasion of Sao Luis island by Dutch, Portuguese and French settlers when it was inhabited by people of the Tupinamba ethnic group. On the streets of a Rio, hundreds of thousands of people danced until the early hours. “So Alegria” (only joy) was the motto for many who took part in about 400 street parties. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/wzyxx Tags: Brazil, Carnival, Rio, Samba Section: Latest News, South America, Travel
