Rio carnival attracts record 2.2 mln revellersFebruary 20, 2012 - 16:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - One of Rio de Janeiro's oldest and most popular carnival street parties has attracted a record 2.2 million revellers, police say, according to BBC News. The Cordao da Bola Preta parade is famous for attracting a diverse crowd, spanning all ages. For the first time in its 93-year history, the event allowed electric sound systems and reversed its normal route. Police said that despite the large crowds, the event had been peaceful. Dressed as the cartoon character Asterix, Elson de Deus, 65, told Brazilian newspaper O Globo he had been attending the parade ever since he was 13. This year, he had taken his son along to the parade to continue the family tradition. Elizete Vieira, 77, said she had waited for four hours to secure her spot in the parade. Denisa Chagas told the AFP news agency she liked the Bola Preta parade because it "brings everybody together, people from all districts and neighbouring towns". Reflecting the name of Bola Preta, or Black Dot, many revellers wore clothes with black polka dots on a white background. Others dressed as their sports heroes or donned wigs and tutus. Some 400 street parties have been scheduled for the Rio carnival, but organisers say the Bola Preta parade, which daes back to 1918, is the most traditional. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |