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."

Imperatriz Leopoldinense's samba-enredo (plot) Cana-caiana Samba by Marquinho Lessa, Guga and Tuninho Professor  Sung by Paulinho Mocidade Cana-caiana, A cultura que o árabe propagou Apesar dos cruzados plantarem, A cana na Europa não vingou. Mas conta a história que em Veneza O açúcar foi pra mesa da nobreza. Virou negócio no Brasil, trazida de além-mar. E, nesta terra, o que se planta dá. Gira o engenho pra sinhô, Bahia faz girar. E, em pernambuco, o escravo vai cantar. (quero vê) Quero vê descê o suco até melá Na pancada doce do ganzá Pinga... Olha a cana virando aguardente. No mercado do ouro atraente, Paraty espalhou a bebida. Pra garimpar, birita tem. Na Inconfidência foi preferida. Pra festejar, o que é que tem? Tem Carlos Cachaça, não leve a mal. Taí verde-e-rosa em meu carnaval... (vem provar minha cachaça) Vem provar minha cachaça, amor ô, ô, ô, ô O sabor é verde-e-branco. Passa a régua e dá pro santo Que a Imperatriz chegou. (na cana-caiana)

Caiana sugar cane Caiana sugar cane, The culture the Arabs spread Despite being planted by the Crusaders Cane did not thrive in Europe. But, according to history, in Venice Sugar was introduced to the nobles' table. Brought from overseas it became business in Brazil And, in this land, if you plant it thrives Turns the sugar-mill for the master, Bahia makes it turn. And in Pernambuco, the slave will sing (wanna se) Wanna see the juice flow until it sweetens With the sweet thump of ganzá Sugar cane liquor… See the cane turning into liquor. In the market of the attractive gold Paraty spread the drink. For gold digging, there is booze. It was the favorite in the freedom fight. To celebrate what do we have? We have Carlos Cachaça, don't get upset. Here's green-and-pink in my Carnaval (come taste my liquor) Come taste my liquor, love o, o, o, o It tastes like green-and-white Pass the ruler and give it to the saint 'Cause Imperatriz has come. (in the Caiana cane)

 

All the results from the special group:

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

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