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Known as the world's biggest party, the five-day long pre-Lenten bash started with the ceremonial handing of the key to the city of Rio to the symbolic "Fat King."

"It's a symbol of our popular culture, of our identity and our international visibility," Rio mayor Cesar Maia said.

The revelers on Friday included Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen, who caused a stir as she danced samba in Rio's poor north side.