The block parade on the Bixiga circuit, in the capital of São Paulo, brought together a few thousand excited revelers in half a dozen blocks this Saturday afternoon (12).
The most modest of the circuits in the center of São Paulo and one of the most traditional, it keeps in its alleys and stairs between Praça Dom Orione and Rua Santo Antônio a good part of the memory of São Paulo samba.
“I chose this mix, because it’s a good, calm and super busy block,” said Cristiane Curaça, a student and digital content creator from São Carlos (SP), who spent her first carnival following the circuit and her third party enjoying the party in the capital.
Cristiane Curaça finds the block both peaceful and busy- Paulo Pinto/Agência Brasil
The region is home to part of the city’s black community, the birthplace of Vai-Vai, one of the schools with the greatest tradition in the elite of the São Paulo league, and a space of resistance to the gentrification of the old center, with mansions and small buildings that resist large developments.
Not surprisingly, there was a welcoming and lively party afternoon. Still on Rua Santo Antônio, friends Ana Clara Bastos, actress, and Alana Melo, university student, from the city of Americana (SP), danced dressed as devils.
“It’s a good hell, very welcoming here. Not very straight, those who are are respectful, without harassment and accepting no”, said Ana Clara, a regular attendee of the festivities in the city.
In general, he considered the organization to be good, but he had a bad experience in the block of Calvin Harrislast week. “That was a bad hell, the police gave us more fear than safety, very different from today”, added Alana. The friends will still go to blocks on Monday, to decide which one, and to Agora Vai, also on this circuit, on Tuesday.
“A good little hell,” said a reveler. Paulo Pinto/Agência Brasil
Police during the Bloco Parade. G Treme Mon Amour, in the Bela Vista neighborhood. – Paulo Pinto/Agência Brasil
The presence of the police and the Municipal Guard was constant, including agents carrying shotguns.
In addition to the sound cars, with emphasis on the live band at JeTreme Mon Amour, the crowd took advantage of the steady and mild weather, many stopping at the cantinas, bars and wine cellars of Treze de Maio, a traditional bohemian address in the center of the capital of São Paulo.
For the first time at the city’s carnival, tourist Kim Maruyama was surprised by how easy it was to find the blocks and enjoy the party moments. The generation technician came from São José do Rio Preto and thought the carnival was wonderful.
“It’s very different from what we expected, from what the media was saying. Calm, lively and enjoyable, I’m going to enjoy more days.”
The only thing that weighed against him and his friends was indecision. “There were many options, it took us a while to decide, hopefully we will be quicker in the coming days”, he said with a smile.
Kim Maruiama was positively surprised by the São Paulo carnival – Paulo Pinto/Agência Brasil
Full throughout the afternoon, above and below the Church of Nossa Senhora Achiropita, the 13th of May welcomed revelers, not only in the open and lively shops, but also on the balconies and windows, where residents, especially children, welcomed the joy of the players.
Unsurprisingly, the party welcomed young and not so young people and brought Brazilian rhythms such as funk, MPB, songs by Tim Maia and Lulu Santos with a more electronic feel and even rap by Racionais MCs. The blocks generally left little trash in their path, thanks also to the constant presence of recycling workers.
A positive highlight was also the good distance between the blocks, with a good division of arrival time at Praça Dom Orione, where they dispersed. The availability of public bathrooms was reasonable on the circuit, with the presence of cabins both at the bottom and in the dispersion, although not enough to meet the demand at critical points, with some people turning streets like Delegado Everton into an open-air bathroom.
