CARNAVAL DE MONTEVIDEO

The Uruguayan carnival, which runs from the end of January to the first days of March, is the longest carnival in the world, and differs from the Brazilian carnival in that it is more intimate and less focused on commercial entertainment. Although it is a national holiday, the celebrations are mainly concentrated in the capital, especially in the Barrio Sur and Palermo districts. A large inaugural parade is held on the second to last Thursday of January, starting on Avenida 18 de Julio and ending on Barrios Amorin Street. It is the ideal opportunity to discover the Afro-Uruguayan culture and admire the emblematic figures such as the Queens, the samba dancers, the candombe players, the comparsas (groups of dancers and musicians) and the murgas that animate the streets for more than a month. The murgas, composed of 17 performers, merge music, theater and satire, with an emphasis on political criticism and social commentary. A good command of Spanish is therefore recommended to fully appreciate these shows. The carnival is organized around a competition where various groups compete in different categories. The Carnival Museum explains in detail all the elements that make up the competition: costumes, choreography, music, themes, etc. Preparations take place throughout the year, and you are likely to see the comparsas rehearsing their pieces in the streets, or attend the murgas rehearsals which are often open to the public.