The official name of the Carnival in Gualeguaychú is Carnaval de País (“the Carnival of the Country”). It is one of the longest carnivals in the world. The Carnival generally starts in mid-January and lasts through late February, ending on the last Saturday of February or the first Saturday of March. However, parades are only held on weekends during the carnival season. The Carnival is so popular that tickets should be purchased about three months in advance.
The Gualeguaychú Carnival has five comparsas. A comparsa is a group that represents a club or social center, they are somewhat similar to krewes of New Orleans Mardi Gras. The five comparsas are Papelitos, Mari-Mari, Kamar, Ara-Yeví and O’Bahia. Each year only three of them participate in the Carnival, competing against each other for a prize consisting of 31% of money raised from the sale of tickets. Each comparsa tries to gain the victory with vibrant costumes, impressive floats and perfectly synchronized choreography. Throughout the Carnival, over 70,000 feathers and more than 500,000 sequins and pearls are used for costume decoration!
The biggest shows take place at the corsódromo, a large arena built specifically for the Carnival. It was opened in 1997. Gualeguaychú’s corsódromo is the second-largest arena in South America with a seating capacity of 40,000 spectators. There are different types of seats including stands, chairs, and a VIP arena.
The Gualeguaychú Carnival is one of the most anticipated events in Argentina. Its vibrant and joyful atmosphere is often compared to that of the Carnival of Venice or the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro. However, the Carnival of Gualeguaychú is a unique show with its own distinctive stamp. It’s also good for the economy of the province. Attracting thousands of tourists from around the globe, the Carnival brings in a wealth equaling the annual municipal budget.
Photo by Kevin Jones
