Samba beats blared out in Rio´s tourist-packed 2005 Revéillon

Brazil´s Rio de Janeiro ushered in the coming of the New Year with a huge bash attended by some 650,000 visitors. The traditional neighborhood of Copacabana was once again home to the Revéillon, a music festival that stages colorful shows every year in its nineteen beaches.

One of the most striking moments came with the spectacular 15-minute firework display launched from eight rafts anchored some 350 yards off the bay. The fireworks seemed to dance to the beat of Brazilian music that was being played simultaneously from different spots along the 2.5-mile-long Copacabana beach area.

But the popular and religious signs that mark the Revéillon are probably the most dazzling elements of all. Millions of people headed for the coast since late afternoon on December 31, dressed in white and bearing flower bouquets in their hands. The flowers were offered to Lemanja, the goddess of the sea in the Candomblé culture.