The decision by Rio de Janeiro’s deeply religious new mayor to skip the traditional opening of the world’s most famous carnival overshadowed the party on its opening night Friday, reports BSS.
Carnival organizers resplendent in white samba dancing outfits, stilt walkers and the Rio municipal brass band stood waiting for two and a half hours in the Sambodromo stadium where the mayor was meant to give the carnival king, known as Rei Momo, the ceremonial key to the city.
Crivella a bishop in the evangelical Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, founded by his billionaire uncle never came.
Finally, the city culture secretary arrived to do the ceremony, officially starting Rio’s biggest annual event, drawing one million tourists to wild dancing, drinking and a panoply of exotic, often barely there costumes.
There had been rumors for days that Crivella would stay away, but no explanation or even confirmation from officials.
Besieged by journalists asking about Crivella, the culture chief, Nilcemar Nogueira, now explained: “His wife is sick.”
“She has a very bad flu,” the city tourism boss, Marcelo Alves, added at Nogueira’s side.
Rei Momo gave no reaction when asked how he felt about receiving the key from a lesser official, as security hustled him away.
