Carnival crowds

Through selective readings of literary chronicles, artistic and media representations, this paper explores how a particular kind of crowd -- the carnival crowd -- has been interpreted and represented in key periods of Rio de Janeiro's history. I argue that the temporal, spatial and aesthetic configurations of the carnival crowd express the bodily dimensions of a profane collective celebration that mirrors the distinct cultural negotiations of the city. In contemporary Rio de Janeiro, the return of the carnival crowd also highlights old and new forms of public interaction. The presence of partying multitudes in the streets of the city posits considerable organizational and social challenges. But the carnival crowd is endorsed by the media, the municipal authorities and the tourist industry because it represents a major source of commercial profit, it promotes a mythical image of the hedonistic city and it also expresses an ultimate celebratory occupation of public space. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]