Let the revelry begin: Rio mayor hands city’s key to King Momo as Carnival kicks off

Rio’s King Momo Takes Symbolic Reign as Carnival Celebrations Begin

The mayor of Rio de Janeiro officially handed over the symbolic key to the city to King Momo on Friday, marking the commencement of Brazil’s world-famous five-day Carnival celebration. This year’s King Momo, 30-year-old Rio native Danilo Vieira, will preside over the festivities until Wednesday.

“The rules still apply, of course,” Vieira told The Associated Press before his coronation ceremony. “We have to follow the rules of our city, our country, but Carnival is run by me.”

The tradition of King Momo’s symbolic rule represents the temporary inversion of social order that characterizes Carnival. In 2024, Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes solidified the importance of this custom by issuing a decree that makes the key-handover ceremony an annual official event, ensuring future mayors will continue the tradition.

City officials anticipate approximately 6 million revelers will participate in the street festivities this year. These celebrations feature vibrant parades with musicians, percussionists, and stilt performers attracting thousands of partygoers adorned in colorful, often minimal costumes and liberal amounts of glitter.

Among the early participants was Braulio Ferreira, a 48-year-old entrepreneur who joined the traditional Carmelitas street party in the historic Santa Teresa neighborhood. Ferreira, dressed as horror icon Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th film franchise, expressed his delight at the festivities.

“It’s very nice and satisfying to see so many people happy from abroad, enjoying carnival with full-on happiness,” he said.

While street parties form the vibrant backbone of Carnival, many will also flock to Rio’s iconic Sambadrome. There, meticulously prepared samba schools will showcase their elaborate parades featuring enormous floats and intricate costumes. These performances, representing months of preparation and significant financial investment, will be evaluated by judges who will ultimately crown a champion.

This year’s Sambadrome parades will explore diverse themes including tributes to sex workers, homages to the late singer and songwriter Rita Lee, and celebrations of Black communities in the Amazon region.

Though Rio’s celebration receives the most international attention, Carnival is a nationwide event in Brazil. Even in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, samba schools are preparing their own distinctive parades. Meanwhile, festivities in the colorful colonial city of Olinda began on Thursday, showcasing the regional diversity of Brazil’s Carnival traditions.

The economic impact of Carnival is substantial for Brazil, particularly for Rio de Janeiro. The influx of domestic and international tourists generates billions in revenue for the hospitality industry, street vendors, costume makers, and various small businesses that rely on the seasonal boost.

However, security concerns have emerged in recent days. A wave of thefts by groups of young people has raised alarms, with some residents calling on Mayor Paes and Governor Cláudio Castro to enhance safety measures for revelers.

“Carnival is meant to be a time of joy, but what we’ve been seeing at the street parties in Rio, beyond the fun, is fear,” former councilwoman Luciana Boiteux wrote on Instagram earlier this month. She advocated for better lighting and preventive community policing during the celebrations.

In response, Rio’s city administration announced special security operations involving approximately 1,100 municipal guards who will patrol street parties from beginning to end, with particular focus on the conclusion of events when theft incidents tend to increase. Additionally, specialized teams will be stationed at key locations to offer support and guidance regarding violence against women.

During Friday’s ceremony, Vieira emphasized the inclusive nature of Carnival that transcends social boundaries.

“Carnival is love, carnival heals,” he said. “A kind of magic happens, bringing joy to every heart, to all races, to everyone.”

As the festivities unfold across Brazil over the coming days, King Momo’s symbolic reign represents not just a period of revelry, but a celebration of national identity and cultural expression that has made Brazilian Carnival one of the world’s most recognized festivals.