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WORLD NEWS Friday 24 February 2017

Brazil’s sexy Carnival puts Pentecostal mayor in tight spot

interview or say what he fice.
would do during the Car- The seeming indifference
nival period if he doesn’t contrasts starkly with the
attend. Local reports have attitude of former Mayor
said he may travel to Israel. Eduardo Paes, a mainstay
In a statement to The As- at Carnival functions dur-
sociated Press, a Crivella ing his eight years in power.
spokesman said the mayor Josue Valandro Jr., a pas-
was responsible “for mat- tor at a Baptist church in
ters related to administra- Rio that participates in the
tion and infrastructure of traditional folklore aspects
Rio de Janeiro” and ques- of Carnival, said Crivella’s
tions about his faith “were ultimate decision should be
not relevant to the city or respected.
the (Carnival) party.” “Society is always saying
But many Cariocas, as Rio that evangelicals are judg-
residents are known, dis- mental,” said Valandro.
agree. O Globo, the city’s “Crivella isn’t obligated to
largest daily, went so far turn over the key (to the
as to analyze what other city). We need to learn to
mayors have done during respect others.”
Carnival. Its conclusion: Participating in Carnival is
If Crivella doesn’t go, he not unheard of for evan-
Rio de Janeiro’s mayor, Marcelo Crivella speaks to the public in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil. While campaigning for mayor last year, Crivella, a retired Pentecostal bishop, insisted his would be the first mayor in gelicals, some of whom
faith would not get in the way of governing the nation’s most famous city. Thata will be put to the modern times to not attend organize street parties and
test during Carnival. the opening ceremony — use the event to recruit
(AP Photo/Leo Correa) at least his first year in of- church members.q
PETER PRENGAMAN handle the traditional pre-
Associated Press sentation of the city’s key
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — to “Rei Momo,” or king of
While campaigning last the party and carnal de-
year to become Rio de lights? Could his picture be
Janeiro’s mayor, Marcelo taken at a popular samba
Crivella, a retired Pente- school alongside volup-
costal bishop, insisted his tuous women wearing next
faith would not get in the to nothing?
way of governing the na- The possibility he won’t be
tion’s most famous city. present for the city’s big-
The former gospel singer gest draw, this year ex-
and missionary, a high- pected to bring just under
profile member of one of $1 billion in revenue, has
Brazil’s most powerful evan- sparked head-scratching
gelical churches, captured by some, exasperation
59 percent of the vote and among others. Given Rio’s
took office Jan. 1. But less current economic crisis,
than two months into his “not showing up for Car-
four-year term, Crivella’s nival doesn’t seem like a
promises are about to be smart thing to do,” said
tested by Carnival, Rio’s Bernardo Mello Franco,
annual weeklong party of- columnist for the newspa-
ten marked by heavy drink- per Folha de S. Paulo. “It’s
ing and drug use, wild sex not like he would have to
and round-the-clock danc- hug a half-naked woman.
ing. His function is simply one
The mayor’s office signaled of protocol.” “The mayor
this week that Crivella may should participate in Car-
not participate in the fes- nival,” insisted Haroldo
tivities starting Friday. Costa, a cultural historian in
That has many wonder- Rio. “He is the host.”
ing how involved he will Crivella’s office declined to
be, if at all. Would Crivella make him available for an