The Brazilian samba school Beija-Flor de Nilópolis is the champion of the 2018 Rio de Janeiro Carnival, one of the largest and most popular celebrations in the world.
Presented by singer Neguinho da Beija-Flor, the samba-enredo “Monstruoso é Aquele Que Não Sabe Amar” drew a parallel between Mary Shelley’s horror romance “Frankenstein,” which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year, and the social ills of Brazil. Corruption, inequality, violence, and intolerance based on gender, race, religion, and even sports formed the backdrop of the “Brazilian monstrosity.”
In the original story, a scientist brings to life a creature made from parts of dead people, becoming a horrific figure. In the parade, this serves to criticize social and political issues, as corruption has dominated the news in the country, with former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sentenced to 12 years in prison and dozens of politicians under investigation in a massive corruption scandal, including current president Michel Temer, who took office in 2016 after the controversial impeachment of Dilma Rousseff.
Beija-Flor de Nilópolis now has 14 titles in the Special Group of the Rio Carnival — only behind Portela and Mangueira in total victories.Little-Known Samba School Made a Historic Parade
With the president of Brazil depicted as a “neoliberal vampire”
and dancers dressed as chained slaves and oppressed street vendors, a little-known samba school also brought politics to the heart of the glamorous Rio Carnival parade.
Paraíso do Tuiuti had previously participated in the samba school competition of the Carnival only twice, finishing last in both. The school’s performance came in second place this year, losing first by just one-tenth of a point.
However, Tuiuti “was the most direct in its message,” said Leandro Silveira, historian and Carnival parade commentator on Rádio Nacional in Rio de Janeiro, to Reuters. “This was a historic parade. They are the underdogs — the small school from the favela — and this parade with the political message is by far the best they have ever done, which is emblematic. They made a great statement and captured how many Brazilians feel in these times of political and economic crisis.”
Praise and criticism of Tuiuti exploded on social media — and the small school became the most discussed topic on Brazilian Twitter and at the Rio Carnival 2018.