In its 11th year of parading, Bloco da Preta chose to honor the female universe, bringing the theme “Women Who Inspire.” Preta even recorded a new version of the first marchinha in history, “O Abre Alas,” by Chiquinha Gonzaga, which was shown to the public for the first time at the parade by the singer and representatives of some of the most famous female blocks of the Rio carnival such as “Mulheres de Chico,” “Mulheres Rodadas,” “Bloconcé,” and the group “Samba que elas querem.”
As is tradition, before the parade, Preta received her lively court on the rooftop of the Prodigy Hotel – among those who passed by were David Brazil, Fernanda Paes Leme, Gominho, Fernando Torquato, Thaynara OG, Ju de Paula, Luana Xavier, Renata Meirelles, Nath Santos, Andre Nicolau, Hud, Thiago Fortes, Tomás Azulay, and Patríck Doering. This year, the Bloco also featured special guests Leticia Lima and Fabiana Karla.
“Everything I bring from these years of the bloco is gratitude for this beautiful story. But today I want to take advantage of this space I have conquered in the Rio carnival to share with other women. We will be hand in hand to prove that women can do carnival, women can do many things, they can do whatever they want. That’s why this year the theme of the bloco is women!” said Preta before the parade began.
Preta’s court, as always, went all out this year, with David Brazil dressed as Ivete Sangalo, in a dress that read “Veveta,” and actress Fabiana Karla betting on an Egyptian golden costume to pay homage to Cleopatra. Presenter Fernanda Paes Leme honored Elke Maravilha, who passed away in August 2016.
Since 7 AM, revelers began to arrive in downtown Rio for the concentration of Bloco da Preta between Rua Primeiro de Março and Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos.
In addition to Rio, Bloco da Preta also passed through Salvador, in the Barra Ondina circuit, and closed the carnival season in the Ibirapuera circuit in São Paulo.
Source: Midiorama