Controversies aside, the mood in Rio de Janeiro was overwhelmingly one of celebration and, as if to make the point, they intend to repeat the party all over again on Monday night with another six samba schools.
Despite all the changes taking place citywide, cariocas (residents of Rio) still gather late into the night and sway to the samba music that pours out of bars and cafes in rejuvenated neighbourhoods like Lapa in the south of the city.