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Rio de Janeiro carnival queens in cut-throat battle to look their best
It will be the climax to Rio de Janeiro’s annual Carnival parade as a procession of exotic samba dancers parading through the city’s arena drives watching crowds to a crescendo of excitement this weekend.
And at the heart of each samba school’s troupe of performers – some up to 5,000-strong – will be the queen of drums, the dancer chosen to embody the rhythm and beauty that bring the procession to life.
For women like Bruna Bruno, 29, the four-day festivity that brings Brazil’s second biggest city to a standstill is also the high point of months of hard work and preparation for the role of drum queen. “When Carnival starts, I will be full of happiness and joy,” she said. “I just want everyone to do a great parade.”
But behind the exotic costumes and dancing that draws two million spectators on to the city’s streets lies a less attractive side: the fierce competition between women for the coveted top slot, and between rival schools to be named best in their league.
“The whole Brazilian people are represented by what happens on the avenue. It’s still the best spectacle in the world.”
By Donna Bowater
