‘Lulapalooza’: Inauguration party sweeps Brazil’s capital

Brasilia – Singing out, parading in carnival-style flares and waving giant red-and-rainbow flags, tens of thousands of people marched to Brazil on Sunday for “Lulapalooza,” a presidential inauguration with a rock festival vibe. flooded the capital of

Brazil’s New Year’s Eve party continues through January 1 for fans of veteran leftist Luis Inacio Lula da Silva. Defeated Far Right President Jair Bolsonaro Now back in a third term with the October election, supporters hope to turn the page in four turbulent and divisive years.

A group of indigenous dancers covered in body paint played traditional percussion instruments and sang near the seat of power in the ultra-modern capital of Brasilia.

Their song, “Shake your maracas. Make Lula your president and life will be better,” echoes the charismatic but controversial ex-president’s promise to “make Brazil happy again.” It was what I did. .

Indigenous groups were among the biggest critics of Bolsonaro, who pushed the opening of protected reservations to mining and presided over the surge in destruction of the Amazon rainforest.

“I hate Bolsonaro, so I came to see Lula’s inauguration. I put on my decorations and spoke through an interpreter.

Fans from all over the country lined up to get through the heavily guarded cordon around the presidential palace and parliament, chanting loudly “Lula, Guerreiro, Guerreiro, Brasileiro!” as they waited. I cried. (Lula, Brazilian warrior).

Most were dressed in red for Lula’s Workers’ Party (PT). But 15-year-old Sofia de Souza Martins wore the Brazilian yellow and green outfit that Bolsonaro’s supporters claimed as their symbol.

“These colors belong to everyone,” said a high school student from São Paulo, who traveled about 1,000 kilometers by bus for the event.

carnival and concert

Brazil’s Inauguration Day combines traditional ceremonies such as taking the oath of office and awarding the presidential belt, as well as parades and concerts by the likes of samba legend Martinho da Vila and drag queen Pablo Vitar. It’s set to be a mix of glitz and party.

Billed as “Lulapalooza,” a play on the famous Lollapalooza Music Festival, the event was largely organized by Lula’s wife, Losangela “Janja” da Silva, 56.

A row of giant guards set the tone for a colorful carnival, with fans brandishing 3-meter-tall (nearly 10-foot) Lula dolls.