This year’s Goa Carnival, which will be flagged off here on Saturday, is all set to send the fun-loving participants into raptures with the lively, rhythmical Brazilian Samba dance adding colour to the flavour. After all, Brazil is a former Portuguese colony like Goa, and this year’s Carnival will celebrate the cultural similarities between the two nations.

Brazilian Consul General in Mumbai, Paulo Antonio Pereira Pinto, said that a Samba troupe with a magnificent float depicting Brazilian as well as Indian national birds and historical characters will participate in the parade on February 2, which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Digamber Kamat.

The Brazilian participation comes with the theme ‘Discovery of Brazil: common heritage and co-operation for the future.’

Meanwhile, as a reciprocal gesture, Brazil is also planning to invite Indian cultural troupes to that country, said the Consul General.