Samba Schools are not schools in the strict sense, but big associations of neighbors, normally coming from the favelas, the poorest areas of Rio de Janeiro. Financed by important organizations and bold sponsors, they are the leading actors of Rio Sambadrome Parade, where each school lines up from 3.000 to 5.000 members.
People work voluntarily for schools, in change of some sort of social assistance. The preparation for the carnival competition lasts for months: the choice of the theme, the creation of costumes and floats, the music composition and, of course, many many rehearsals. Each school has 90 minutes to parade and convince the jury to be the best.
Some Samba Schools & 2013 Themes
Beija Flor (Humming Bird). Considered to be the most competitive samba school, it has big sponsors and is well-known for its crazy and colorful creativity. For 2013 carnival Beija Flor chose the following theme: “Sao Luis – Maranhao`s bewitched poem”, in honor of Sao Luis, the multicultural capital of Maranhão state, in the north of Brazil, where French, Dutch and Portuguese roots mix together.
Mangueira. This is the oldest samba school of Rio, the first one to win the Sambadrome Parade. The 2013 chosen theme is: “I will celebrate! I’m cacique, I’m Mangueira”, in honor of Cacique de Ramos, one of the most traditional samba schools of Rio, celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Portela. Among the oldest samba schools, Portela can be recognized by its symbol: an eagle. It collected 21 Titles, being therefor the first winner of Rio’s Carnival ever. Portela 2013 carnival theme: “…and people singing on the streets, is like a prayer, a ritual…”, in honor of Bahia and its black and fascinating religion, the Candomblé.
Sao Clemente. The most political samba school, giving voice to the difficult living conditions of the poor in Rio. In 1987 real street children were parading for the school. The interesting 2013 theme is: “A musical adventure on Sapucaí”. The ambitious purpose is turning operas into samba.
Unidos da Yijuca. This very traditional samba school focuses on the colonial and Portuguese heritage of Rio de Janeiro and is attended by many gays. The 2013 parade theme is: “The day royalty landed the avenue to have king Louis Crowned”, in honor of the musician Luiz Gonzaga, died in 1989.