Samba School: Portela - February, 2005.
Part 2 of 2.
Portela is one of the oldest schools despite several name changes in the past. Only its symbol, the eagle, remains unchanged. It is considered to be the oldest Rio samba group, however not the oldest school. It traditionally used to be also one of the very best schools for a long time running, winning 21 times, the absolute record. However it somewhat had lost its excellence since the 1980s for a long period. It had only managed to remain in the Special Group for years mainly because of its history and fame. However it has recovered its original glory in the last two years again.
The highlight of Brazil Carnival is undoubtedly the Rio Samba Schools Parade, a totally unique event in the world.
The Rio Samba Parade is the review of a fierce competition between the Rio samba schools. The judges and spectators watch the principal parades in the Sambodromo which was especially built for this event.
The Samba Parade is something everybody should experience at least once in their life. The event is broadcast live to several countries.
The Rio Samba Parade is very distinctive from all other street parades held at some other places in the world. It is not a street happening where people move chaotically about as they like, but more of a highly orchestrated show of vast proportions. Every parader has a specific role and place according to his costume in a particular wing, of a particular section of the samba school he/she is parading in support of.
Each year each school chooses a different theme for the Samba Parade. It can be a celebration of a particular period, or, of famous figures of Brazilian history. It may highlight a special event or speak of anything that might move the spirit and imagination; like a special animal, or one of the elements; water or fire, etc. The school has to illustrate the chosen theme through all its work:
• the samba tunes, which are especially written for that year
• the richly decorated floats and costumes of their 3,000 to 5,000 parading members designed by the school's Carnival Designer (the so called Carnavalesco).
The parade of every school is highly organized and designed. They line up in a unique way to present their pageant.
The costumes are extremely imaginative, colorful, elaborate and detailed. They are truly original, designed and made from scratch each year. They have mirrors, feathers, metallic cloth, silk and sometimes gems or coins. These costumes take months to make. The work starts roughly 8 months in advance.
You may think of the whole event as a tropical opera or rather like several operas happening on one night. It is beautiful to watch and the experience for the paraders themselves is so intense that the memories last for a lifetime.
