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Not everything is going to be Rio de Janeiro, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Venice. Yes, its carnivals are the most famous in the world and you have to visit them

at least once in your life

, but there are many others that are well worth a getaway for their originality. We go through them.

MONTEVIDEO, THE LONGEST ON THE PLANET

It starts at the end of January and ends at the beginning of March. That is,

more than 40 days of

non-stop partying in what would be the longest carnival in the world. We are talking about

Montevideo

, in which around

50 groups

decorate the city with murgas, parodies, comparsas, floats (carts in Uruguay) and a great desire to party. This year, in addition, is celebrating the third centenary of the founding of the country's capital, so the celebrations reach the main carnival parade along 18 de Julio Avenue. Candombe

, a musical rhythm with African roots based on drums and declared an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, is also not missing as part of the particular idiosyncrasy of this carnival

.

Parade through the streets of Montevideo.IM

EL DEL TORO, OLDEST IN SPAIN

In the town of Ciudad Rodrigo,

Salamanca,

what is considered the oldest carnival in Spain, the Bull Carnival, has been celebrated since 1493. At least, that is the date of which there is written evidence as there are documents that certify it. It talked about the permission to carry out

bullfights

during those days. Hence the name of the carnival. Not in vain, bullfighting events continue to be held in the town's

Plaza Mayor

. The animals arrive there from the countryside guided by expert riders in the so-called

running of the bulls on horseback

. There are also capeas, costume balls, floats,

contests and brass bands

. This year, it will take place from February 9 to 13.

Carnival of Ciudad Rodrigo, in Salamanca.CARNAVAL DEL TORO

The Samba Carnival of...Tokyo

It's the turn of the Asakusa

Samba Carnival

, one of the most traditional neighborhoods in Tokyo. The spirit of Brazil's most popular dance has moved there.

Kaminarimon Dori

street

is the epicenter of all the festivities. More than 500,000 visitors gather there, who enjoy watching nearly

5,000 dancers

move in Brazilian style . The origin must be sought in 1981, when the paraphernalia of the Rio de Janeiro carnival was copied to revitalize the neighborhood. It was so successful that more than

40 years later

it is still celebrated.

The Asakusa Samba Carnival, in Tokyo.

TO CLEAN NARANJAZO IN ITALY

We now jump to Italy. And specifically to the town of Ivrea, in Piedmont.

The Battle of the Oranges

takes place there ,

since this fruit is the protagonist of the festival. To the point of launching more than

40 tons

. The celebration dates back to medieval times and takes place in the town's Plaza Mayor, where hundreds of

women and men,

dressed in traditional attire and divided into nine groups, face a clean orange blast.

The Battle of the Oranges of Ivrea. TOURISM ITALY

In honor of Pachamama

We finish the tour in

Oruro, Bolivia,

where religious traditions not only mix with pagan traditions, but also with Mother Earth, since the so-called Pachamama is the protagonist of its carnival. Declared

a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage

of Humanity by UNESCO, it is dedicated to the Virgen del Socavón. Masked balls, native rhythms, and theatrical

music and magic

shows represent the struggle between good and evil.

Celebrations in Oruro, Bolivia.SHUTTERSTOCK

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