By Canadian Press

Carnival champions decry Rio mayor’s ‘betrayal’

Jun 26, 2017 | 6:30 PM

RIO DE JANEIRO — The president of the current champion of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival accused Mayor Marcelo Crivella on Monday of betraying the samba schools by cutting by half the city’s support for the event.

During a demonstration outside the city hall, Luis Carlos Magalhaes of the Portela school demanded dialogue with the mayor to work out their financial conundrum. Crivella has not met with school representatives since before he made the decision.

“We need dialogue, not betrayal, and if you’re signing (an order) saying there won’t be enough money, without talking to us, that’s betrayal,” said Magalhaes.

In office since January, Crivella had won the support of the samba schools during last year’s election with promises of increased public investment. However, he recently announced the reduction of the city’s support from $640,000 (2 million reals) to $320,000 (1 million reals) for each school, and said the difference will be spent on resources for children’s day care centres.

“That discourse of giving money to the day cares does not make sense because it is the Carnival that brings resources to the city,” Magalhaes added. “That’s why we want to sit down and talk with him about the economy, about politics and about the culture that this party represents.”

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Held every year in the week preceding Ash Wednesday, Carnival is the biggest event in Rio. According to the city’s tourism agency, the 2017 Carnival attracted 1.1 million tourists and generated $912 million (3 billion reals) in revenues. Besides the well-known parade in the “Sambadrome”, the week-long celebration includes multiple street parties, which have also seen their funding cut by the mayor.

A gospel singer and retired Pentecostal bishop, Crivella and his Universal Church of the Kingdom of God consider the event a “profane party.”

Brazilian governments at all levels are facing tough choices and major budget cuts following an economic recession. Last week, the city of Sao Paulo followed Rio’s lead and cut public support for its own carnival.

Liliana Michelena, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Carnival champions decry Rio mayor’s ‘betrayal’

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