The world-famous Rio Carnival in Rio de Janeiro precedes the Easter celebration in Brazil. The Carnival takes place during the days preceding Ash Wednesday, the first of 40 days of the Lent season. Sambodromo, a 700-meter long parade strip, is thronged by a huge crowd comprising locals and tourists. On the last Sunday and Monday nights before Lent, the enchanted onlookers cheer up the Samba dance troupes participating in the jamboree.
Other towns and cities in Brazil, such as Recife, also have celebrations during the Carnival period, that are well known for their folkloric representations and two well known folk dances, the Maracatu and the Frevo.
In the village of Fazenda, natives have staged a Biblical passion play since 1950. Thousands of people watch as volunteers act out the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Good Friday and Easter are widely celebrated in many towns around Brazil, but especially in the historic towns of Minas Gerais and Novo Jerusalem.
