On Thursday, the Carnival begins in Montevideo, which has the characteristic of being the longest in the world. What other issues are fundamental to this popular festival?
This Thursday officially begins Carnival of Montevideo, one of the most recognized internationally and, without a doubt, a “registered trademark” of the popular culture of Uruguay. While the murgas finalize details for their presentations and the streets of the capital prepare to receive one of the longest celebrations in the world, we present here the most important keys to this popular festival.
It is still the longest in the world
Beyond the fact that this year, due to the celebrations of the 300 years of Montevideo, he Carnival capital will begin a few days later than usual, its length places it in the record book as the longest in the world.
Starting with the inaugural parade on January 25, and ending with the call “Night of Failures” —where the winners will be known, already in the month of March—, it is about more than 40 nights of partying.
It is a “stage” carnival, not a parade
He Carnival Montevidean has a differentiating characteristic with the rest of the “carnivals” at an international level: it takes place fundamentally on stages, both in the colossal Ramón Collazo Summer Theater as in the more than twenty decentralized scenarios throughout the metropolitan area known as boards. This makes it a space where content, music and singing are privileged. The street is equally present and with singular prominence in both the inaugural parade and the traditional one. Parade of Calls which will take place on February 9 and 10.
Paysandú Carnival Uruguay Parade
Photo: Universal 970
Strong political content “empowered” in an election year
Its own regulations require it and no one imagines a Carnival without the presence of political and critical content with the power of duty. The most anticipated category of the contest, the murgas, They tend to be the “thorn in the side” of all governments, regardless of whether they are left or right. This year, all this will surely be enhanced with the election campaign in the making, which will even enable many political leaders to attend the show to receive first-hand “the sticks” and, hopefully, to laugh at themselves.
Popular, with a capital letter
According to the union of carnival show directors, Daecpu, he Carnival It sells 1.8 million tickets and generates employment for at least 40,000 people directly and indirectly. These numbers are even higher than those managed by Uruguayan football throughout the year, which becomes more relevant if one considers that the Carnival It lasts just over a month. Without a doubt, it becomes an extremely popular show that moves people very strongly. local economyformal and also informal
Uruguay Carnival.jpg
Twitter: @uyecos
The most anticipated shows and the non-presence of Agarrate Catalina
There are many groups that participate in the competition. Carnival which are especially anticipated by the public and which sell out tickets for the Summer Theater and stages. The murgas Patent Assailants, The Big Doll and The All-Night They occupy that place alongside the parodists Zingaros and the comedians The Chobys.
This year the absence of what is undoubtedly the most popular and recognized murga at a national and international level will be felt, Hold on Catalina, who decided not to appear at the Carnival 2024.
Source: Ambito
