Carnival in Rio , which gathers every year millions of participants, was officially opened. About 800,000 tourists are expected to Rio, to join the six million inhabitants of these days festivities. The highlight of the carnival will be on Sunday and Monday, when it will happen samba schools parade, on Sambadrom.

The official start of the party was given, as every year, by King Momo, who is considered the king of carnivals in many Latin American countries. It was awarded in a ceremony symbolic key to the city by the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, at which point the fun has officially received the green light. "I declare open the magnificent Rio Carnival!" King Momo said, then quickly entered, accompanied by several "queens" who danced a samba procession.
The atmosphere immediately became fire and, on several banners in the audience could see messages like "Long live the king!", "Long live the monarchy!", "Long live the tourists!" or "Rio loves tourists." Considered the world's biggest party, Carnival in Rio is a magnet for city residents to join revelers, rich and poor alike, writes AFP. This year the festivities will last until March 8.
During carnival, the hotels are filled to 95%. Hoteliers and restaurant owners these days expect to have grossed 1.5 billion reals (890 million dollars). Each of the 12 schools participating in the carnival samba 2 and invests between $ 5 million, amounts that come from donations, to prepare for the big event. The first day of the carnival was dedicated to children in schools of samba. Brazilian authorities have decided this year to supplement the security measures to reassure both visitors and local people, the possibility of attacks on the street, given that the country hosting the World Cup in 2014 and 2016 Olympics when they expect as many tourists. To ensure peace of revelers, some 50,000 police were mobilized. FBI agents will be stationed near Sambodrom, downtown. Thirty cameras, which have a radius of 2 km, were installed in the city.
This year's celebration was marked by difficulties after, in early February, more costumes and props participating schools were burned in a fire.

ziare.com