"The most traditional and popular celebration in Brazil, carnival sinthetizes the country's soul. For four days (at least officially, in many cities it's more than a week), the joyful feeling spreads over the streets and squares, from North to South and East to West. Covered by the anonymity, working class and businessmen, judges and maids, black people of african ancestors and european-descendent white men, orientals and indians dance together with new identities; modeled by a costume, all of them reign for a while. As carnival season opens, brazilians start to make a sort of annual balance. It's a time to forget or recall an old love affair, to celebrate a new passion or search for new romantic experiences.."
O Estado de S. Paulo.