On Sunday, March 23, 2025, a vibrant celebration marked the end of the Carnaval de São Leopoldo as Estação Primeira de São Léo was crowned the champion. The proud samba school amassed an impressive total of 219.2 points, showcasing the incredible artistry and commitment of their members at the Passarela do Samba Tom Astral on Avenida Dom João Becker. This year’s carnival theme, “São Léo Se Levanta na Avenida,” symbolized the resilience and strength of the local community, echoing the spirit of recovery following last year’s devastating floods.
The second-place honors went to Imperadores do Sul, who finished with 219 points, while Acadêmicos Verde e Rosa took third with 218.7 points. Leões da Feitoria was just behind in fourth with 218.3 points, and Alambique Leopoldense rounded out the results with 217.7 points. Notably, Escola Império do Sol participated in the event as a guest, representing São Leopoldo in the Série Ouro of Carnaval de Porto Alegre rather than competing for the title.
Excitement filled the air as nearly 10,000 enthusiastic spectators gathered for the festivities. The carnival was praised not only for its artistic expression but also for being a successful event with no major security incidents reported. Lionella Goulart, the Secretary of Culture and International Relations, expressed her delight at the turnout, stating, “The carnival was a great event with much joy, a lot of consumption for local entrepreneurs, and no incidents in terms of security, within our planning with the period we had for execution.” Looking ahead, Goulart also shared plans to enhance next year’s carnival event further, promising more surprises.
Mayor Heliomar Franco also spotlighted the importance of the carnival during his remarks. “Carnival in São Leopoldo was a success,” he declared. “Our city is rebuilding, and culture is a part of that. We will not neglect any area—health, education, flood prevention—but we know we need everyone to grow back.” He highlighted how the carnival celebrated popular culture creatively.
One of the more poignant aspects of this year's event was the way Estação Primeira de São Léo paid homage to the Parque Natural Municipal Imperatriz Leopoldina, a significant symbol of environmental preservation in the city. Gilberto Marins, the school’s president, celebrated the victory while noting that all costumes were produced by the school’s members. He emphasized the importance of the public's support during the event, especially from the Northeast region of the country, who attended in large numbers.
In a heartfelt reflection, Marins revealed that this victory was a response to the disappointment of losing five points in the previous year due to a political issue regarding the coat of arms for the bicentennial of German immigration. “This victory is a reply to the injustice that occurred,” he said, expressing gratitude for the efforts of every member involved. He further elaborated, “This achievement is the result of hard work following the flood in May, which caused us significant material losses. We rebuilt and fought with strength for this title.”
Collaboration was key to their success this year, with the school inviting two acclaimed sculptors from Parintins, Paulo and Cristiano Oliveira, to contribute to the creation of their show’s floats and attractions. Marins stated, “It was a privilege to work with these artists. They brought amazing talent that elevated the aesthetic standards of the parade, and they are already confirmed for next carnival, bringing even more new things.”
A captivating display of samba, community spirit, and artistic innovation characterized the event this year, culminating in Estação Primeira de São Léo’s triumphant celebration. The carnaval not only honored artistic expression but also commemorated the resilience of a community that has faced tremendous challenges. As the final trophy for the Destaque Estandarte de Ouro will be unveiled on April 5, the anticipation continues for the next year’s celebrations, where local culture can again take center stage.
