Up to one million revellers were expected to dance away the gloom in Europe's biggest economy for a few hours Monday as the German carnival season approached its climax here.
Up to one million revellers were expected to dance away the gloom in Europe's biggest economy for a few hours Monday as the German carnival season approached its climax here.
Amid a constant drizzle, the parade kicked off early on Shrove Monday in the western city of Cologne in the heart of the predominantly Roman Catholic Rhineland region of Germany.
Forget the Crisis; It's Carnival Time in Festive Rio!
Rio de Janeiro was Monday reveling in its famous Carnival parades, which this year were looking like a feverish, ultimate bash before the sharp teeth of the global economic crisis really bite deep.
Rio de Janeiro was Monday reveling in its famous Carnival parades, which this year were looking like a feverish, ultimate bash before the sharp teeth of the global economic crisis really bite deep.
With an eye on the general election in September, one display featured a giant Chancellor Angela Merkel as Miss Germany in a bikini striped with the black-red-gold of the German flag.
Another was festooned with US President Barack Obama and the Statue of Liberty telling him to whip the flagging American economy into shape.
'The Greatest Show on Earth' Kicks Off With Parades
Brazil's five-day Carnival got into high gear with its famous parades in Rio de Janeiro adding choreographed extravagance to lusty street parties and fancy-dress balls already underway.
Brazil's five-day Carnival got into high gear with its famous parades in Rio de Janeiro adding choreographed extravagance to lusty street parties and fancy-dress balls already underway.
The German carnival season kicks off November 11 and culminates this week with the observance of Ash Wednesday.
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Brazil's Carnival to Get Underway Amid Rows on Sex and Security
Brazil's famed Carnival is to begin Friday, amid rows over sex and security, and a plea from the government for the nation's festival-goers to take it easy this year.
Brazil's famed Carnival is to begin Friday, amid rows over sex and security, and a plea from the government for the nation's festival-goers to take it easy this year.
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59 Million Condoms to be Distributed in Brazil During Carnival
To check the spread of AIDS, Brazil has chosen the carnival time to distribute 59 million free condoms.
To check the spread of AIDS, Brazil has chosen the carnival time to distribute 59 million free condoms.
