Jan
Holocaust float in Rio’s carnival raises eyebrows.
Brazilians and revelers celebrating carnival this year in Rio de Janeiro might be perplexed by the sight of something that belongs anywhere but the raucous bacchanalia that is carnival.
A float depicting the Holocaust is set to parade down the streets of Rio de Janeiro during Brazil’s infamously raunchy annual festivities.
Whose idea was this? The Unidos da Viradouro samba school, apparently. As part of their “Shockers” theme they will feature the Holocaust float (minus the sequined, scantily clad dancers) as “a sort of alarm, so that it never be repeated,” said creator Paulo Barros.
How thoughtful.
Naturally, local Jewish leaders are uncomfortable with the situation.
Somehow, it doesn’t seem likely the drunken, bead-throwing crowds at carnival will be able to display any sort of composure or propriety when this float glides by.
