Brazil's Carnival lovers face sobering moment as country braces for recession

Austerity does not come naturally to Brazilians, but attitudes are changing as economy suffers what is forecast to be the deepest crisis in more than a century

When it comes to mood making in Brazil, there are few institutions that can match the samba schools of Rio de Janeiro.

For a week each year at Carnival, they embody exuberance with a pulsating parade of spectacular floats, gyrating dancers and bateria throbbing with the rhythms of tamborims, chocalhos, surdos and drums.

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