Bloco Quizomba drew a crowd this Tuesday (17th) during Carnival at Aterro do Flamengo, in Rio de Janeiro, with the themes Verde que te Quero Ver and the fight against feminicide.
Founder and drum master André Schmidt explained that the block wants to raise awareness about the ecology and recovery of biomes.
“Our idea is to take the need to think about the future of the planet to the avenue,” he said.
Schmidt adds that the other theme is in partnership with Levante Mulheres Vivas, which is against violence against women and feminicide.
“Carnival is an open-air theater and like all theater we have moments of reflection, especially here in Brazil as feminicide is only increasing. We, men, have to raise awareness, we have to talk to other men, who have to support the feminist agenda”, he highlighted.
Data from the judicial system show that, in 2025, Brazilian justice judged an average of 42 cases of femicide per day, totaling 15,453 trials, an increase of 17% compared to the previous year.
In the same period, 621,202 protective measures were granted, the equivalent of 70 measures per hour, according to the National Council of Justice (CNJ).
Bloco Quizomba drums during parade at Aterro do Flamengo – Photo: Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil
The drums with 160 members are made up of students from the Quizomba percussion workshop that takes place at Circo Voador. “Quizomba is a plural group. We were one of the precursors of the revitalization of Rio’s carnival. We bring samba, axé, marchinha, samba reggae, rock, pop rock”, said Schmidt.
Created in 2001 in Rio de Janeiro from a percussion workshop, Quizomba was born from a meeting of friends with the aim of creating a group that would take Brazilian musical diversity to the streets in the form of a party.
Publicist Patricia Lima plays the tambourine. She says she discovered the block as a reveler. “I fell in love with the block and decided to do the workshop three years ago. What attracted me was the repertoire with MPB, samba plot, rock. It’s very diverse.”
Professor Andreia Martins came from Juiz de Fora to Rio de Janeiro to participate in the block. It is the first time that Carnival has been held in the city.
“I have a friend in the block who plays the deaf. I think the group that plays the drum is important because it reinforces our ancestry. I thought the theme of nature, which is asking for help, is important. Anything that pays homage to environmental preservation is very important,” he said.
