IN PICS | World's Famous Carnival In Brazil Begins After 2-Year Covid Hiatus

(Images: AFP/Getty)

After a hiatus of almost two years due to Covid-19 pandemic and the related restrictions, Rio de Janeiro's mayor officially opened the world's most famous carnival celebration on April 20 by handling of the key to the city to "King Momo," who is a symbolic ruler of the festivities. (Image: AFP)

"I proudly announce that the greatest show on Earth is back – Long live, carnival," Mayor Eduardo Paes told a cheering crowd at city hall on Wednesday, after handing a giant golden key over to the jovial 'monarch' as confetti rained down on them. (Image: AFP)

Revellers dance during the official opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro after this year's king, 35-year-old Wilson Dias da Costa Neto, decked out in a shiny blue tuxedo and jewelled crown, accepted the key from the mayor. (Image: AFP)

As per tradition the King Momo, who is chosen by a jury with input from a popular vote, rules Rio for the carnival, presiding over the glittering, sequin-studded spectacle of the city's all-night samba school parades. (Image: AFP)

Last celebrated in February 2020, the Rio carnival was again under dark clouds this year as Covid cases began to spurt in Brazil forcing city authorities to postpone the event from the usual dates. However, after a delay of two months later, the show is set to go on. (Image: AFP)

A view from the first day of the samba schools parade, opening of the carioca carnival, the Cubanco samba school, in the Sambodromo da Sapucai, central area of the city Rio de Janeiro. (Image: Getty)

According to reports, the samba school parades started on Wednesday, with the highly competitive top-flight league scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights. Though city officials did not give permission for the massive carnival street parties known as 'blocos', but several smaller events are still expected to take place. (Image: Getty)

Last year, in the wake of Covid outbreak, city's mayor symbolically handed the key to a pair of health workers in white lab coats and surgical masks after announcing carnival had to be canceled because of the pandemic. (Image: Getty)