- Title: Rio residents flock to the beach ahead of New Year's festivities
- Date: 31st December 2016
- Summary: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (DECEMBER 31, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ON COPACABANA BEACH PLATFORMS AND BOATS FROM WHICH FIREWORKS ARE GOING TO BE LAUNCHED BEACH STAGE WHERE SHOW WILL BE HELD VARIOUS OF BEACH AND PEOPLE TANNING (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) ENRIQUE, RETIRED BRAZILIAN MAN, SAYING: "Today, we started drinking a beer and later, we got ready for the show by drinking some more beer. We hope 2017 will be a year full of peace, good health, much progress for Brazil, that we get more jobs because there are too many unemployed people, and joy for everyone!" VARIOUS OF BEACH PEOPLE WALKING ON COPACABANA BEACH (SOUNDBTIE) (Portuguese) APARECIDA, ADMINISTRATOR AND BRAZILIAN WOMAN, SAYING: "I have many hopes for 2017. I am sure it will be a much better year. I hope it is a better year because 2016 was very difficult, with a lot of unemployment. I expect the economy to improve, that our government leaders be more efficient and correct and that they truly want to make the country better. I wish everyone much peace and happiness!" VARIOUS OF POLICE PROVIDING SECURITY VARIOUS OF POLICE DETAINING MAN WHO WAS SELLING DRINKS MAN HOLDING POSTER THAT READS: 'May 2017 be a much better year for all of us, with much peace and health" (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) CARLOS ENRIQUE, UNEMPLOYED BRAZILIAN MAN, SAYING: "I am Brazilian, from Rio, and I wish everyone much peace and health. I hope that we enter 2017 on the right foot, the right foot, and that it brings us all health, money and love." PEOPLE WALKING VARIOUS OF COPACABANA BEACH
- Embargoed: 15th January 2017 19:51
- Keywords: New Year's preps Copacabana
- Location: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
- City: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
- Country: Brazil
- Topics: Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA0015F7RJUV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Crowds were enjoying the beautiful weather at Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach on Saturday (December 31) ahead of the city's massive New Year's Eve bash.
Thousands enjoyed the temperatures over 90 degrees F (32 C) and many, like this man, broke out the alcohol.
"Today, we started drinking a beer and later, we got ready for the show by drinking some more beer. We hope 2017 will be a year full of peace, good health, much progress for Brazil, that we get more jobs because there are too many unemployed people, and joy for everyone!" he said.
Officials expect over a million revellers, many dressed in traditional white, to watch the 12-minute fireworks show which has been shortened due to the financial crisis, according to local media.
After a turbulent year in which the president was impeached and the Rio Olympics brought international attention home, Brazilians are ready for a change.
"I have many hopes for 2017. I am sure it will be a much better year. I hope it is a better year because 2016 was very difficult, with a lot of unemployment. I expect the economy to improve, that our government leaders be more efficient and correct and that they truly want to make the country better. I wish everyone much peace and happiness!" said Aparecida (ah-pah-reh-SEE-dah),
Authorities boost security along the beach and in the city.
With hundreds of thousands of tourists in the city to celebrate New Year's, expectations are high.
A concert kicks off the evening, featuring samba schools Unidos de Tijuca and Mangueira.
Then, fireworks will be set from boats and ferries that are lined up in the bay and set to music and televised.
Brazil is one of the first countries in the Americas to bring in the New Year with the country's clocks striking midnight at 0200GMT. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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