Carnival of the Country

Carnival is one of the most traditional popular festivals in the history of mankind. It may have started in the pagan rituals celebrated to pay homage to Bacchus, the god of wine; in the feasts organized to honor Apis in Egypt;the Roman Saturnalias, to commemorate the god Saturn. Some historians state that the first carnival celebrations date back to ancient Sumer, over five thousand years ago. This custom passed onto Egypt and the Roman Empire, from where it spread into all Europe and was brought to America by the Spanish and Portuguese sailors in the times of the colonies and the conquest in the XV century. In Argentina, the Carnival of Gualeguaychú is considered one of the most important carnival parades on earth, along with the carnivals of Rio de Janeiro and Venice. This amazing artistic display has been around for over thirty years and gains more and more followers every year. Every Saturday in January and February, the city of Gualeguaychú dresses up to present one of the most expected shows in the area, which summons thousands of enthusiasts that enjoy the brightness, the joy, the thrill and the rhythm of the comparsas parading before them at the local Corsódromo (Piccini and Ayacucho Streets).

Three floats compete to win the first prize and obtain the necessary score to be part of the following Carnival issue. The assessed items include: costumes, synchronicity of choreographies and the floats. All this as well as the themes ed by the directors will make spectators vibrate and dance on the grandstands as they cheer dancers and musicians. For decades, Carnival in our country has had its own codes and customs and for many participants it has become a philosophy. “Carnaval toda la vida, y una noche junto a vos, si no hay galope se nos para el corazón…” (Carnival for ever, and one night by your side, if there is no gallop, our heart will stop) goes the chorus of the most famous local song to honor Rey Momo (King Momo). Just attending the Carnival of Gualeguaychú once in a lifetime will prove all this is true.