The 2021 edition of the Carnival was cancelled due to a spike in Covid-19 cases, but it is back and exuberant as ever now that infections are plunging.

Rio's Sambadrome has been home to the parade since the 1980s, and is a symbol of Brazil's Carnival festivities.
Rio's Sambadrome has been home to the parade since the 1980s, and is a symbol of Brazil's Carnival festivities. (AP)

Colourful floats and flamboyant dancers delight tens of thousands jammed into Rio de Janeiro's iconic Sambadrome, putting on a delayed Carnival celebration after the pandemic halted the dazzling displays.

Rio de Janeiro’s top samba schools began strutting their stuff on Friday, the first evening of the two-night spectacle that continues on Saturday.

The 2021 Carnival was swiftly cancelled due to the rise in coronavirus cases fuelled by the Delta variant.

During the pandemic, Sambadrome was a shelter for more than 400 homeless people and also served as a vaccination station.
During the pandemic, Sambadrome was a shelter for more than 400 homeless people and also served as a vaccination station. (Reuters)

For the Carnival, communities rally around the competing samba schools, whose shows are not only a source of pride but also employment since preparations require countless seamstresses, welders, costume designers and more.

There are months of rehearsals for dancers and drummers, so participants can learn the tune and the lyrics for their school's song.

The pandemic upended these samba schools' way of life for two years.
The pandemic upended these samba schools' way of life for two years. (AP)

Sao Paulo also kicked off its Carnival parade Friday evening.

Both cities' parades usually take place in February or March, but their mayors in January jointly announced they were postponing Carnival by two months due to concerns about the proliferation of the Omicron variant.

The number of Covid-19 cases and deaths has plunged since then, and more than three-quarters of Brazilians are fully vaccinated, according to the country's health ministry.

A seat in the bleachers cost about $50, and the most expensive seats can cost more than $1,260.
A seat in the bleachers cost about $50, and the most expensive seats can cost more than $1,260. (AP)

Rio authorities said earlier this week those attending the parade would have to show proof of vaccination.

However, media reports showed that attendees had no trouble getting tickets or entering the Sambadrome without showing the required documents.

Going out in one of the samba schools costs a lot for tourists, but it is often free for people who are involved with the parade all year round.
Going out in one of the samba schools costs a lot for tourists, but it is often free for people who are involved with the parade all year round. (AP)

For those unwilling to shell out for the price of admission, there were street parties across Rio — despite City Hall denying authorisation for them to take place, citing insufficient time to prepare.

Some organisers couldn't care less, arguing that celebrating Carnival wasn't contingent on authorities' consent, and partiers hit the streets in force.

The Carnival's return brought joy back to the country where more than 663,000 people died from Covid-19, the second highest of any country in the world.
The Carnival's return brought joy back to the country where more than 663,000 people died from Covid-19, the second highest of any country in the world. (Reuters)
Source: AP