Wednesday, February 6, 2013 11:54:00 AM | by v-nihill
Countdown to Carnival
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Italy
A man paints a mask as part of his preparation for Carnival in Venice, Italy. January 25, 2013. Preparations for Carnival are well under way all around the world because the party really gets going on Feb. 9.
Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters
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Italy
A man inspects a maske he made to wear to Carnival in Venice, Italy.
Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters
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Italy
A man helps his wife into an elaborate costume he made for her to weart to Carnival in Venice, Italy.
Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters
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Italy
A couple pose in their Carnival costumes in Venice, Italy. The Bridge of Sighs is in the background. Carnival starts early in Venice, but most parties around the world end on the same day, Mardi Gras, which is Feb. 12 this year.
Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters
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Italy
Rowers in costumes and masks take part in the Water Parade 2013 on the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy.
Marco Secchi/Getty Images
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Italy
Venetian masks are a centuries-old tradition These days, the masks are only worn during Carnival.
Frank Bienewald/Getty Images
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Italy
A reveler in an elaborate mask and costume rests on some steps in Venice, Italy.
Frank Bienewald/LightRocket via Getty Images
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Brazil
Carnival masks bearing the likeness of Brazilian soccer player Neymar sit on an assembly line near Rio de Janeiro. Carnival in Rio is one of the most famous parties in the world.
Sergio Moraes/Reuters
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Brazil
A man works on a carnival float for Beija Flor samba school in Rio de Janeiro. The samba school parades in Rio are scheduled for Feb. 10-11.
Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images
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Brazil
People work on costumes for Ilha do Governador samba school in Rio de Janeiro. Samba schools are part social club, part dancing school and present lavish shows at Carnival.
Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images
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Brazil
Members of a samba school work on costumes in Rio de Janeiro. Carnival preparations start early in July or August, some 7-8 months before the main samba schools parade at the sambodrome. Samba schools hire professional designers to plan out their presentations.
Jan Sochor/Latincontent/Getty Images
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Brazil
The Queen of Sao Paulo's carnival dances during competition.
Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images
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Brazil
Pieces of a Carnival float await assembly at Grande Rio Samba School.
Sergio Moraes/Reuters
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Brazil
A member of Império Serrano samba school works on pieces of a Carnival float.
Jan Sochor/Latincontent/Getty Images
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Brazil
Members of the Samba School Nene da Vila Matilde dance in preparation for Carnival in Sao Paulo.
LeviBianco/NewsFree/LatinContent/Getty Images
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Brazil
A sculptor works on a Carnival statue at Acadêmicos da Rocinha samba school in Rio de Janeiro.
Jan Sochor/Latincontent/Getty Images
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Brazil
A dancer from the Gavioes da Fiel samba school performs during a rehearsal at the Sambadrome in Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo's Carnival is scheduled for Feb. 8-9 and Rio de Janeiro's will be Feb. 10-11.
Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images
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Brazil
A welder works on a float for Beija Flor samba school.
Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images
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Brazil
Members of the samba school Nene da Vila Matilde dance during preparations for Carnival in the Anhembi Sambodromo in Sao Paulo.
LeviBianco/NewsFree/LatinContent/Getty Images
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Brazil
A man works on masks resembling Brazilian soccer star Neymar.
Vanderlei Almeida/AFP/Getty Images
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Brazil
Members of the samba school Mocidade Alegre dance in the Anhembi Sambadrome in Sao Paulo.
LeviBianco/NewsFree/LatinContent/Getty Images)
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Brazil
Revelers kiss while riding a train to a Carnival party in Rio de Janeiro.
Dado Galdieri/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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Brazil
Brazilian revelers pose during Carnival celebrations along Ipanema beach. Carnival in Brazil attracts millions of visitors celebrating the period before Lent.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
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Brazil
Members of the Mocidade samba school dance in Rio de Janeiro.
William Volcov/News Free/LatinContent/Getty Images
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Brazil
Members of the Dragoes da Real samba school participate in a parade in Rio de Janeiro.
Levi Bianco/News Free/LatinContent/Getty Images
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Brazil
This Chinese dragon float is part of a parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro.
Rex Features
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Brazil
Members of Camisa Verde samba school dance in Rio de Janeiro.
Levi Bianco/News Free/LatinContent/Getty Images
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Brazil
The Gavioes da Fiel samba school parade float takes its show on the road in Sao Paulo.
Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images
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Brazil
Brazilians perform capoeira during Carnival in Salvador, Brazil.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
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Brazil
Every year, millions fill the streets of Brazil during Carnival. Nearly 800,000 Brazilian and foreign tourists joined Rio de Janeiro's six million residents for last year's celebrations.
Vanderlei Almeida/AFP/Getty Images
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Brazil
Members of Salgueiro samba school participate in a parade in Rio de Janeiro.
Rex Features
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Brazil
Brazilian model Ana Hickmann takes part in the Grande Rio samba school parade in Rio de Janeiro.
Rex Features
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Brazil
Revelers dance to frevo, a traditional musical style of Pernambuco state in Brazil, amid giant dolls during Carnival celebrations in Olinda.
Leo Caldas/AFP/Getty Images
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France
A woman with a painted face participates in the Nice Carnival in France.
Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images
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Spain
Masked men carry a cross during Carnival in Zubieta, Spain.
Rafa Rivas/AFP/Getty Images
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Spain
A masked man holds a fox during Carnival in Zubieta, Spain.
Rafa Rivas/AFP/Getty Images
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Spain
Carnival revelers tie copper bells to a Joaldunak — a parade participant wearing bells to ward off evil spirits — in the Navarra region of Spain. According to Basque lore, the bells also bring prosperity for a year.
Susana Vera/Reuters
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Spain
A man in a demonic mask lifts a fox in the air as he takes part in Carnival celebrations in Zubieta, Spain.
Susasna Vera/Reuters
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Dominican Republic
Residents participate during the National Carnival Parade in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Rex Features
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Colombia
A dancer celebrates Carnival in Colombia.
Rex Features
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Colombia
A costumed man celebrates Carnival in Barranquilla, Colombia.
Rex Features
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Colombia
Fire-breathers perform in Barranquilla, Colombia.
Rex Features
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Louisiana
A costumed woman attends Mardi Gras in New Orleans. There are parades in the city throughout the two weeks before Ash Wednesday, and celebrations peak on Fat Tuesday — Feb. 12.
Rex Features
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Louisiana
Masked partygoers celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Rex Features
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Louisiana
A parade krewe marches in New Orleans during the Carnival season.
Ray Laskowitz/Getty Images
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Australia
Performers entertain crowds at the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Party in Sydney.
Michael Taylor/Getty Images
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Australia
A costumed man rests during the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Harbour Party in Sydney.
Michael Taylor/Getty Images
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Louisiana
A masked woman flashes a peace sign during Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Rex Features
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Australia
Revelers prepare for a Mardi Gras parade in Sydney.
Richard Kendall/Getty Images
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Louisiana
Revelers celebrate Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
Skip Bolen/WireImage
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Italy
Burlamacco is the official mascot of the carnival of Viareggio, Italy.