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World´s Longest Carnival Celebration
A popular celebration that takes place from the end of January to the beginning of March, with a duration of around 40 days.
The word “carnival” comes from the Latin word carne levare, meaning “to take away the meat”, which refers to the festivities prior to Lent in the Christian tradition.
Nowadays, the celebration has taken on a more popular connotation and is celebrated in several countries around the world. Some of the best known are the Carnival of Venice and the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro. The one in Venice lasts approximately 10 days while Rio de Janeiro's lasts about a week. In Uruguay, our Carnival has a duration of approximately 40 days, making it the longest Carnival celebration in the world.
In Uruguay, the Carnival was consolidated in the XIX century, during the colonial period, as a result of the mixture of cultures from European immigrants and enslaved people who arrived in the country during the XVIII century. The celebration evolved from the “barbarian party” typical of the XIX century to the “civilized party” established in the XX century, which continues to this day.
Montevideo´s Carnival
In Montevideo, our capital city, Carnival kicks off with a parade along 18 de julio Avenue, featuring the main Carnival groups. Two weeks after Carnival begins, the Llamadas take place, showcasing one of the most representative manifestations of the Afro-descendant culture in Uruguay. These parades feature candombe groups playing characteristic drums known as Chico, Repique and Piano, following a distinctive rhythm.
Carnival in Montevideo is defined by the stage as the centerpiece of the celebration, featuring both music and theater elements. The stages are set up in various neighborhoods of the capital, where every night over 40 Carnival groups put on their shows for the public. Groups are divided into five categories and compete in the Official Competition of Carnival Groups: Murgas, Sociedades de negros y lubolos (comparsas), Humoristas, Parodistas and Revistas. Those groups that do not compete in the Ramón Collazo Summer Theater Contest can still perform at the different neighborhood stages with musical and/or humorous shows.
The Five Categories of Carnival
Murga is known for its sharp criticism, employing humor and irony. They create exaggerated characters and impersonations of public figures, crafting humorous verses to represent their social and political criticism.
The comparsas are part of Uruguay´s cultural heritage, originating from the Afro-Uruguayan community. The typical characters that parade alongside the rhythmic drums include the gramillero (representing the doctor of African tribes), mama vieja (a woman who dances with the gramillero), escobero (who dances while spinning his broom), and vedete (who dances in front of the drums).
Parodistas perform comic imitations of public figures, stories, celebrities and more. Combining acting, humor and dance, they are one of the most popular groups in Carnival.
Contrary to Parodistas, Humoristas do not rely on pre-existing works for their shows, they mainly use humor to craft their performances.
Lastly, Revistas create performances that explore themes through music and dance.
Carnival is Uruguay's most important popular festival, attracting thousands of people each night across various neighborhoods throughout the 40-day celebration. The parades, stages and contests make the party last for weeks, making our carnival the longest in the world. If you come to Uruguay during the months of January, February and March, you cannot miss the opportunity to experience a night of Carnival.
