The Rio de Janeiro Carnival is revving up for its main event, and this past weekend has been nothing short of exhilarating! Saturday, February 22, 2025, marked the last weekend before the grand carnival celebrations officially begin, featuring over 50 lively blocos parading through the city's streets, captivating the hearts of both locals and tourists alike. Among the most popular was the Bloco da Favorita, known for transforming downtown's Rua Primeiro de Marçointo
a vibrant open-air funk party, pulling crowds with dazzling costumes and infectious energy.
With the backdrop of soaring temperatures—forecasted to reach as high as 37°C—the festivities only added to the buzz surrounding the upcoming celebrations. The city's meteorological agency has recorded elevated heat levels, and officials anticipate about 6 million attendees across 470 blocos during the carnival season from January 31 until March 8. This weekend also saw samba schools fine-tuning their performances at the renowned Marquês de Sapucaí sambódromo.
This Saturday was especially significant for schools like Beija-Flor, Mangueira, and Portela, as they took to the sambódromo for technical rehearsals, which serve as both practice and public previews of their magnificent displays. According to the Liga Independente das Escolas de Samba do Rio de Janeiro (Liesa), previous weekends have garnered massive crowds, exceeding 80,000 attendees as they come to witness these vibrant rehearsals.
"The technical rehearsals are not only performances but opportunities for adjustments," said Fafá, the esteemed master of drums at Acadêmicos do Grande Rio. He emphasized the all-consuming dedication of the ritmistas, stating, "A gente não dorme, não come, não malha, não faz nada. A gente vive full time para a escola, para a bateria, ver o tamborim, se está tudo certo...". With such commitment, it’s no surprise the atmosphere is electric as samba schools perfect their timed beats and lively choreography.
The anticipation is palpable as each samba school works diligently to keep their surprises under wraps until the big day. For example, Priscilla Motta, choreographer for the Viradouro, has her team of 27 dancers rehearsing rigorously. "É hora de lapidar o trabalho que começou há meses..." she remarked, signifying the importance of this period leading up to the Carnival. Her dedicated team often practices late at night, ensuring every detail is just right.
Safety measures are of utmost importance this year, following prior weather concerns. But the sambódromo now stands confidently with recent certifications from local authorities. The Riotur, the city’s tourism arm, confirmed on Friday, February 21, the sambódromo received definitive permits from the Fire Department, alleviating concerns about infrastructure reliability for this year’s events. "O Certificado de Aprovação foi emitido na sexta-feira..." noted Bernardo Fellows, president of Riotur, marking this achievement as significant for carnival organization.
Reflecting sentiments from the community, André Luiz Silva, pedagogue and avid Carnaval attendee, emphasized, "Essa é a fase crítica do trabalho..." as he shared the excitement of the local residents. His sentiments encapsulate the heart of Carnival—an annual celebration where samba rhythms fill the air, sparking joy and unity among the people.
With everything set, the splendid and colorful parades promise not just to showcase the artistic talents of the samba schools but also to celebrate the resilience and vibrant spirit of the carioca culture. The blend of drumbeats, stunning costumes, and euphoric dance will undoubtedly leave their mark on the attendees, making it the event of the year.
So, as we find ourselves on the cusp of this iconic celebration, one can’t help but marvel at the dedication behind the scenes, proving once again why the Rio de Janeiro Carnival is one of the most anticipated events across the globe.