Samba Carnival in Bremen (18/02)

Bremer Karneval – is Germany's largest samba musical carnival, with vibrant performances and fiery music from this energetic Brazilian dance. Samba dancers from all over Germany come to take part in the street carnival, and thousands of tourists – to see this vibrant celebration.

The Free Hanseatic City of Bremen – is an ancient and beautiful city in Germany, where there are many historical monuments, museums, rich city life, but its highlight is the samba carnival, which traditionally takes place every year in February for two days. But in 2023 it was postponed to the spring, and in 2024 – to January.

Samba – is a Brazilian dance that appeared in Europe in the early 20th century, but gained wide popularity only after World War II. Samba music has a distinctive rhythm created by drums and maraks. Today, this rhythmic, fiery Brazilian dance is included not only in the program of modern ballroom dancing, but also in the daily life of all dance lovers.

The history of the Bremen Carnival goes back more than three decades. It arose in 1985, when enthusiasts of the local dance school – samba club – decided to organize a festival of Brazilian music and dance in the city. Fans of incendiary samba held their own street festival, which over the course of several years won the love of the townspeople and was so loved by everyone that they decided to organize it annually and with the support of the Bremen authorities.

Within a few years, this Brazilian party quickly turned into a real carnival, and the sounds of samba never leave it. Every year the number of participants is invariably growing – these are dancers from newly emerging samba clubs, percussion and brass bands, theater groups, and simply wishing – from Bremen, other regions of Germany and even from neighboring countries.

Although northern Germany is not particularly famous for its emotionality, the carnival proves that the city knows how to have fun. Degree burghers dress in costumes and take to the streets to surrender to the power of dance. The city is rocked by drum music and fancy dress from Germany's largest samba carnival.

Preparations for the celebration among punctual Germans begin in advance – exactly on November 11 at 11:11 am. This is a kind of Opening of the opening action of the Bremen Carnival. On this day, carnival communities discuss the future program of the festival, the number of participants and performances, costumes, etc. Just before the carnival in the city, many stores sell carnival costumes, jewelry and makeup for everyone. Special «guilds» and «guard» jokes rehearse songs, write jokes and come up with costumes.

The carnival itself begins with a children's costume procession in the city center, performances by young musicians and dancers. Then adults take up the initiative. Samba sounds for them from morning until late at night, and dance floors are open, and in the evening and at night competitions and performances of samba groups are held in several open areas of the city.

The next day there is a large street parade with giant dolls, colorful outfits, platforms on which fantastic scenery is erected, – so-called «carnival of animals», then a drumming competition. The evening program consists of dance parties in clubs and outdoors, and incredible costume balls take place at night. This whole action ends with fiery dances to Brazilian music and parties in restaurants and bars. Often the fun spills out into the streets and turns into spontaneous processions of mummers.

The Samba Carnival in Bremen – is real madness, when local residents and guests of the city dress up as clowns and animals and pour into the streets of Bremen to have fun from the heart. By the way, the Germans know how not only to have fun, but also to treat nicely. Traditionally, several types of beer, wine, as well as sausages, baked meat, and cabbage are served at the festival.

Every year the theme of the carnival changes, but the energetic rhythms of samba and the bright colors of the festival always remain.

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