Rio Carnival is both rooted in European pagan traditions and Catholicism. It was originally a food festival when people would take their last opportunity to gorge before the beginning of Lent ...

with food, cultural activities and games, Rio’s department of social assistance said in an email. For Débora Silva Pereira, 42, enduring the long, exhausting days away from her family is worth it, ...

Malls will open normally Saturday (Feb. 26), but not quite so Sunday (Feb. 27), when food courts ... do Rio (long-haul bus terminal) foresees some 362,000 travelers. during Carnival.