Story: At the Copa

The Chinese call it Chúxì, the Germans Silvester. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, it’s called Reveillon. An annual New Year’s celebration more than twice the size of the party in Times Square, every year an estimated 2.5 million revelers from all over the world pack into Copacabana, occupying every conceivable inch of the 4 km strip of golden sands from sea to sidewalk. Even witnessing it with your own eyes it’s hard to comprehend the size of such a gathering.

But believe it or not, all of this is only part of it. New Years festivities in Copacabana seem to begin as soon as the sun rises, not one wanting to waste of minute of the final day of the year. Walking through the streets celebrations can be seen taking place in almost every corner of the city. People gather everywhere from the beach to the bars, on rooftops and even in the streets where groups of men humorously dress in drag and do the “dança do siri” or “crab dance” around cars at stoplights. More than just a time to party, Reveillon is a time when various traditions are also observed. Throughout the day a constant procession of the faithful make their way to the ocean with offerings for Yemanjá, the goddess of the sea. Various gifts are given to the deity in hopes that she will grant a prosperous new year. Most everyone dresses in white as a symbol of purity for a fresh start to the New Year. Flowers are thrown into the sea and seven waves are jumped while making seven wishes for the year to come.

As night falls and the New Year approaches, columns of people make their way to the beach, shaking hands, giving hugs and the streets are filled with a chorus of Adeus Ano Velho, the Portuguese equivalent of Auld Lang Syne. Upon reaching the beach and becoming part of the crowd, the anticipation in the air is almost palpable. Watches are checked incessantly, cameras are readied, hands are held tight and anxious smiles pass through the crowd. Finally as the clock strikes 12 and the New Year arrives a thunderous roar rises from the crowd and a 15 minute firework display cascades across the sky, illuminating what can only be referred to as an awesome spectacle. Over 2 million people suddenly burst into celebration; cheering, jumping, hugging…it’s quite a sight to behold.

It seems only fitting that such an event would take place in a city like Rio. Well deserving of its nickname “A Cidade Maravilhosa” or “The Marvelous City,” Rio seems to have it all. With its postcard perfect beaches, lush mountains, the Girl from Ipanema and even one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, it’s no surprise that many who travel here find it hard to leave. Rio somehow has that magical ability to skew your perspective, alter your sense of reality - or of what reality should be - and overall just make you look at things a little differently. It’s a feeling they call “alegria”; it’s that certain easy-going, ‘not a care in the world’ happiness Rio is known for. It’s a feeling that consumes you, both mind and body and as it does, you realize suddenly all those great bossa nova songs from the 60’s, whether you understand a word of them or not, somehow they all just start to make sense.