Many South American countries are currently gearing up for their famous carnival season. And people in Iquique in northern Chile have already taken their celebrations to the streets, and the Brazilians and Bolivians are hot on their heals.
For residents in the Chilean port city of Iquique, every February is the right time to leave all their worries behind.
Northern Chile is an area heavily influenced by Andean culture and traditions. According to dancers here, their spectacular routines exude authentic Andean identity, complete with elaborate costumes, including capes.
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But that’s not all. The carnival is a rich and colourful festival that consumes the entire city, and involves vibrant music and beautifully decorated floats that parade around the city.
Meanwhile in Brazil, there’s less than a week to go before carnival officially begins, and celebrations were already beginning to erupt throughout the city of Rio de Janeiro over the weekend.
As is tradition, the "blocos", or street parties, are expected to take over the beachside city in the week-long celebration, which is expected to draw 3-million beer-soaked revellers to party on the street. The carnival begins this year on February 28 and ends on March 4.
And 6-thousand musicians from 65 bands have gathered in the city of Oruro in Bolivia for the annual band festival. The event is part of the run-up to the Oruro Carnival, Bolivia’s largest annual celebration.
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The event kicked off with a ceremony at the foot of the enormous Socavon Virgin statue, with the musicians, dressed in the red, yellow and green of Bolivia’s flag, playing the national anthem, joined by dance troupes and singers.
The city’s Carnival is famous for its costumes and elaborate masks and the celebration attracts visitors from all over the world.
