The 2025 edition of the People's Carnival, organized by the Quelimane City Council, took place from February 21 to March 2 and ended on Sunday, March 2. The event was attended by more than 50 spectators and featured the participation of more than 20 groups of revelers.

In closing, Mayor Manuel de Araújo emphasized that Carnival is not just about revelry, but also an act of cultural resistance and social affirmation, especially in times of political and economic crisis.

In his closing address, Quelimane's mayor, Manuel de Araújo, highlighted the importance of Carnival for the city's residents and its historical connection with the Catholic Church. He explained that Carnival has its origins in antiquity, with celebrations in Babylon and Ancient Greece, and that it was transformed with the rise of Christianity, taking on new meanings.

Carnival became an opportunity for the faithful to say goodbye to meat-based foods before Lent. The word "Carnival" comes from the Latin "carnis levale," which means "to remove the meat."

Therefore, in the city of Quelimane, it is celebrated before Lent to follow the same rhythm, bringing joy to the citizens, taking them out of sadness and, then, for those who are Christians, to fast for forty days, carrying out the sacrifice for the purification of the soul and the remission of sins.

De Araújo mentioned that the choice of this year's Carnival title reflects the current political situation in Mozambique, especially after the recent elections, where the people are demanding respect for their constitutional rights. He emphasized that power resides with the people, and that this power is currently not being respected.

Today, Carnival is celebrated in diverse ways around the world, in cities such as Venice, Nice, New Orleans, the Canary Islands, Oruro, and Barranquilla. In Quelimane, Mozambique, Carnival is considered the best in Southern Africa and enhances the city's image.

De Araújo emphasized that, despite the financial difficulties, the Carnival tradition was maintained, reaffirming the commitment to hold it even in the sun, rain or storm.

The Anjos de Murrupwè filões group was the big winner, receiving a prize of 300.000,00 Mts. The Carnival Queen and King received 30.000,00 Mts each, the King belonging to the Saguar Samba filões group and the Queen to the Pavão de Ouro group.

The Quelimane Carnival continues to establish itself as one of Mozambique's most significant cultural events. Community involvement, the diversity of participating groups, and the preservation of traditions demonstrate the power of this celebration.

With the growing appreciation of cultural tourism, future editions of the event are expected to receive greater investment and recognition, allowing the festival to expand and strengthen its historical roots.

The 2025 edition of the People's Carnival reaffirmed the importance of this event for Quelimane's cultural identity and for the expression of the popular voice at crucial moments in the country's history.

The organization's commitment to keeping this tradition alive, even in the face of economic challenges, demonstrates the positive impact of Carnival on Mozambican society.