Brazzil

Full of contradictions, Carnaval in Rio, while exhibiting nude bodies and debauchery explores also religious themes. Practically every big escola de samba chose this year to highlight religiosity.
By Rodolfo Espinoza

With a certificate of virginity in hand issued by Rio's IML (Instituto Médico Legal—Medical Legal Institute), stripper Ana Flávia Tarcitano, 22, breasts exposed, was shining by herself at the Obsession Flower float, part of escola de samba Unidos da Tijuca's The Virgins' group. "It is a paradox to pose as virgin in the Carnaval parade, but I do my work honestly. You cannot mistake liberty for libertinage. I am the only here who proved her own virginity." As for keeping her virginity among so much temptation the belle was emphatic that she didn't make any vow of chastity and is not thinking about joining the Carmelite sisters. "I haven't met anyone that's worthwhile. That's all."

Ana Flávia was only one of the hundreds of naked or semi-naked women taking part in the popular Rio's escola de sambas' parade that happens every Carnaval season broadcast live to the whole country. Other virgins weren't that adamant about their virginal condition. Gisele de Oliveira, 22, confessed being a virgin "only once in a while" And Cristiana Monteiro, 19, admitted that "it depends on which virginity you're talking about."

Rio's Carnaval can't live without international celebrities and this year was no exception. Among the big names who made it this year to the Sambódromo—the venue for the parade—was top model and homegrown Gisele Bündchen and Hollywood tough guy Arnold Schwarzenegger. The actor was so mellow, accessible and seemed to be enjoying everything so much that he got the nickname of Chuchu (pronounced shoo-shoo).

Full of contradictions, Carnaval in Rio, while exhibiting nude bodies and debauchery explores also religious themes. Practically every big escola de samba chose this year to highlight religiosity. While samba club Paraíso do Tuiuti exalted Islamism and Judaism, Mocidade Independente, Grande Rio and Caprichosos de Pilares had Christian messages to fit the common theme of the parade: peace. Beija-Flor and Imperatriz Leopoldinense, on the other side, paid tribute to candomblé (African religion) and witchcraft. Several escolas celebrated the arrival of the Era of Aquarium keeping in synch with the peace focus.

Incidentally, Renato Lage and his wife Márcia Lávia, from Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel, had a hand from the Catholic Church to organize their escola. It was catholic priest Marcelo Guimarães, a peace activist, who provided several suggestions on how to develop the peace theme. The cleric, who thinks of the Carnaval parade as an ecumenical celebration, helped to shape the escola's celebrations this year. Lage was inspired by the Bible's Apocalypse to create the opening of the parade and he read Saint Augustine in order to write the samba plot for his escola. Using poetic license he transformed characters as distinct as social activist Betinho, environmentalist working leader Chico Mendes and singer-composer John Lennon into Buddhist monks.

Once again when the envelopes were opened to reveal who had won the title of Rio's best escola de samba—the vote is given for a variety of items by a panel of 40 experts—few people were happy. Escola de samba Beija Flor, which for the third year in a row lost to the champ Imperatriz Leopoldinense accused its rival of buying the judges. "As long as Luizinho (Luiz Pacheco) is in the league, they will never win a Carnaval," said Carlos Rodrigues, one of Imperatriz's director. Coincidentally or not, the president of honor of Imperatriz, Luiz Pacheco Drummond, is also the president of Liesa (Liga das Escolas de Samba—Samba Clubs' League), the body responsible for organizing the Carnaval parade. Rodrigues wanted to know how Imperatriz could have won three 10 (the maximum score) in harmony when it was evident that the escola was rushing during the parade.

Imperatriz could not have made it better. The club from the north neighborhood of Ramos won 300 points of a possible 300, receiving 10 points from every judge in every item evaluated. Beija-Flor came in second with 299.5 points and venerable Mangueira ended up in third with 298.5. They were followed by Salgueiro (296.5 points) and Viradouro (293). The two last placed—União da Ilha (274 points) and Paraíso do Tuiuti (260)—will not be able to parade next year with the elite escolas. In their place will be Porto da Pedra and São Clemente. The defeat was particularly bitter for Beija-Flor, which was favored to win this year. This sentiment was shown by leader Neguinho da Beija-Flor who, visibly irritated, told reporters: "Second place for me is the same as last place."

All the results from the special group:

1st Imperatriz - 300 points
2nd Beija-Flor - 299.5 points
3rd Mangueira - 298.5 points
4th Salgueiro - 296.5 points
5th Viradouro - 293 points
6th Grande Rio - 289 points
7th Mocidade - 287 points
8th Tradição - 286 points
9th Unidos da Tijuca - 280.5 points
10th Portela - 280.5 points
11th Império Serrano - 280 points
12th Caprichosos - 277.5 points
13th União da Ilha - 274 points
14th Paraíso do Tuiuti - 260 points

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