Christmas hasn’t even arrived yet, but if you dream of enjoying the Brazilian Carnival — which this year takes place from February 28 to March 8 — it’s good to plan ahead.
And if you really want to get into the spirit of the country during this time of year, you can’t miss the opportunity to get more familiar with the origins of samba, the rhythm that energizes the Brazilian carnival.
Caminho do Samba
The Oswaldo Cruz neighborhood is a symbol of samba in Rio de Janeiro. Home to the Portela Samba School and samba singer Candeia, this area in the northern zone will be part of a new tourist route created to attract foreign visitors.
‘Caminho do Samba’ (Samba Route) was launched on Monday (December 2), National Samba Day, by Embratur, the Brazilian tourism promotion agency, in partnership with the city hall.
The route highlights ten locations linked to the history of samba in the neighborhood, including the rehearsal hall of the Portela Samba School, the Oswaldo Cruz train station, and the Yabás fair (which offers typical foods and samba circles on the second Sunday of each month), as well as the homes of Candeia, Tia Doca, and Dona Ester — women who helped shape the history of Portela.
“Almost all of our heritage is symbolic; it is immaterial. There are no castles here. This Caminho do Samba is wonderful because people will visit and learn about a little-told story. It highlights places as important as Oswaldo Cruz in the history of Brazilian music,” says singer and composer Marquinhos de Oswaldo Cruz, curator of the Caminho do Samba.
According to Embratur, the goal is to promote Brazil’s cultural heritage, attract more foreign tourists, and boost the local economy.
“We trained guides and tourism students to present the routes and promote Afrotourism, highlighting the cultural and economic importance of samba and supporting the local economy,” said Marcelo Freixo, president of Embratur.
According to him, interactive maps, audio guides, and bilingual self-guided itineraries have been created, as well as augmented reality apps. “We will also offer free guided tours for foreigners, providing authentic experiences along the samba routes. These tours will be supported by audio guides and historical narratives accessible via QR codes,” Freixo explained.
“The route is amazing and takes visitors to places where few people know the history, like Bar do Nozinho. Few would imagine that Walt Disney had a beer there once with Paulo da Portela and was inspired by the visit to create the character Zé Carioca,” added Marcelo Freixo.
Source: Agência Brasil