The Unidos da Ponte samba school took to the Sapucaí on the night of March 1, 2025, showcasing resilience and creativity against the backdrop of recent adversities. This year's theme, centered on environmental awareness, particularly highlighted the impact of wildfires and their broader consequences. Just weeks after suffering severe losses from a fire at their costume production facility, the school managed to deliver a poignant performance.
Earlier, on February 12, the Unidos da Ponte, along with other samba schools, faced devastation when the Maximus Confecções factory caught fire, resulting in the loss of numerous costumes intended for the Carnival. The tragedy also claimed the life of Rodrigo Oliveira, who died shortly after the incident, adding to the emotional weight of this year’s performance. Despite these challenges, Unidos da Ponte pressed on without their full set of expected costumes, opting instead to focus on their important message.
Choreographer Gabriel Castro elaborated on the creative decision to feature anti-smoke masks as part of their costumes, stating, “This mask initially does not have anything to do with the fire of the workshop. Every time I see the mask, I recall the wildfires, things burning, the world being sick as it is. We know the Indigenous peoples suffer this much quicker than we do. It’s a very strong impact.” This innovative choice creatively paid homage to the environmental crisis, highlighting the urgency surrounding such issues.
Notably, the school’s queen of the battery, Thai Rodrigues, added depth to their performance by implementing body paint to symbolize oil spills and pollution. “For the audience to witness how it happens, how we deliver, how we really dedicate ourselves to make it happen,” she shared, emphasizing the emotional connection of their message as she painted her body to reflect the same oil-themed tragedy they aimed to critique.
Even after losing more than 40% of their planned costumes, the performers adapted by revamping previously discarded materials. Rodrigues Marques, one of the samba school's carnival designers, expressed pride at their efforts, stating, “We lost more than 40% of the Carnival. It would have been the largest work in the history of the school. The sectors we lost couldn’t be redone, but we managed to recover others.” This determination stands as indicative of the team's commitment, filled with urgency amid their struggles.
Despite the absence of some costumes, Unidos da Ponte's performance was not formally evaluated. President Tião Ribeiro remarked on the pre-performance planning, “The school has worked to recover costumes, but our concern is to make a dignified Carnival.” They entered the competition equipped with innovative solutions, ensuring to capture the hearts of the audience with emotional engagement and the desire for environmental awareness.
While the performance included strong rhythms led by the reliable Mestre Darlan Nascimento, the emotional weight was felt through the dialogues surrounding environmental justice. The entire performance radiated the sense of urgency needed to address climate concerns, reflecting deep-rooted issues faced by many communities, particularly Indigenous populations.
The communal spirit during performance unfolded as Unidos da Ponte navigated their hardships, all for the sake of artistry and meaningful messages. With their story intertwining dedication, resilience, and enlightenment, their night concluded with applause and appreciation from many, acknowledging their hard work and perseverance.
Unidos da Ponte may have faced unprecedented challenges heading to this year's Carnival, but their performance served as much more than entertainment—it emerged as a cry for action and awareness, creating ripples of environmental consciousness within their samba rhythms. The humility and strength displayed by the performers illuminated the power of art to advocate for pressing issues, ensuring the messages go beyond the glitz and glamour of the carnival stage.