Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been sworn in as Brazil’s new president, the third time he has held the position.
The veteran left-wing politician, known as Lula, also led the country from 2003 to 2010 and defeated Jair Bolsonaro in the October election.
The ceremony has been heavily guarded in anticipation of Bolsonaro supporters attempting to disrupt it.
Mr. Bolsonaro did not attend because he had left Brazil on Friday.
Since early in the morning, a sea of Lula supporters has gathered in front of Congress, dressed in the red of his Workers’ Party. They traveled to witness their leader’s inauguration, but also to celebrate.
More than 60 artists, including Samba legend Martinho da Vila, will perform on two massive stages decked out in the national flag as part of the “Lulapalooza” music festival.
One banner read, “Love has triumphed over hate,” and was carried by a man dressed as Lula, complete with a presidential sash.
“Brazil needed this change, this transformation,” said another supporter of the new president as she waited in line for Sunday’s festivities.
Juliana Barreto – who is from Lula’s home state Pernambuco – told the BBC that her country was “a disaster” previously.