Arts & Entertainment

Rio Carnival becomes ‘entangled’ in social criticism

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 8 (EFE).- Stories based on traditions, legends, books and even renowned figures are what give life to the Rio de Janeiro Carnival parades, which this year propose to reflect on the environment, indigenous people and the fight against racism when they begin Friday.

Simple or complex, classic or futuristic, these plots known in Brazil as “entanglements” have in common a strong dose of social criticism.

From those most rooted in facts to those of more figurative nature, all will dress samba schools with music and color as they pass through the Sapucai sambadrome.

In this year’s parades, social criticism will once again come to the fore with themes that praise the defense of the environment, respect for indigenous peoples and the Black race.

While Grande Rio will be inspired by the symbolism of the jaguar as an example of the struggle of indigenous peoples, Portela will be based on the struggle of Black people in Brazil from the perspective of a woman who faced challenges to stay alive and preserve her roots.

There will also be stories about the importance of children to achieve a better world and stories that will tell the journeys of a sailor and the adventures of a legendary Gypsy person.

But among the entanglements that will give life to the samba school parades, the one in Salgueiro is already the talk of town.

“Hutukara,” as this plot is called, will tell the story of the Yanomami, an Amazonian ethnic group that has been a victim of invasions by illegal miners, who in addition to destroying their lands in the search for gold have brought diseases and violence to this population.

According to Marcelo Pires, cultural director of the school, it is a town that has a lot to teach.

“That is why Salgueiro wants to talk about respect for the native peoples through the Yanomami” and tell their story from their own perspective, he told EFE. EFE

mat/lds

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