Thousands of people woke up early this Carnival Sunday (15) to participate in the celebrations of the Divinas Tretas block, which took place, but did not go out, at Aterro do Flamengo, in Rio de Janeiro.
Divina Tretas is one of the 55 blocks co-responsible for the joy of Rio residents on this sunny and hot day. The collective derives from the old Toco-Xona block, the first LGBTQIA+ block in the city of Rio de Janeirocreated in 2007 and renamed in 2022, after the covid-19 pandemic.
The musical program, played live and during breaks, tries to accommodate the plurality of Brazilian rhythms with samba, axé, piseiro and hints of rock amidst the pop scene.
“These are songs that lift people up”, explains singer and multi-instrumentalist Karol Gomes, who performs with tambourine and microphone in the block band.
“We play songs that the public likes, by international divas and Brazilian divas, in which we wear our own clothes”, adds Thaissa Zin, executive producer of Divinas Tretas.
Revelers kiss during a performance by the block Divinas Tretas, which attracts LGBTQIAPN+ audiences at Aterro do Flamengo – Photo: Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil
Welcomed and hugged
“Playing on the street means knowing how to play popular genres, where people will feel welcomed and embraced”, explains DJ Laís Conti, one of those responsible for entertaining the public while the band prepares or rests to continue the party.
Laís’ recipe is to make the moment she presents her selection of songs “a democratic and warm set”.
The soundtracks by the DJ and the band contribute to making the Divinas Tretas environment welcoming, pleasant and diverse, as a carnival should be for everyone.
“This is a block where I can feel comfortable as a straight woman or as a gay person or as a non-standard person. A place where I can feel completely at ease to exercise my carnival freedom. To wear whatever clothes I feel like, whether more or less covered up. Where I can dance what I want and listen to music that I like”, says nurse Letícia de Almeida Lopes, 26 years old.
For the reveler, people go to the block “to be happy” and “not to judge”. She believes that the general atmosphere at Divinas Tretas “brings a feeling of security”.
Salesperson Thaísa Galvão, 28 years old, confirms Letícia’s impressions. “I feel very good. We can relax with our friends. There are no fights. Everyone gets along well. That’s why I always come here.”
“It’s the block where we feel welcomed. There are no men harassing us, which is liberating”, adds Jennifer de Oliveira, operations analyst, also 28 years old.
Marielle
The Divinas Tretas block took advantage of the concentration of people in the festivities to remember the trial which will take place after Carnival, on the 24th and 25th, at the Federal Supreme Court (STF) of alleged executors, principals, accomplices and accomplices for the death of councilwoman Marielle Franco and driver Anderson Torres. In addition to calls on the stage microphone, fans were distributed with the trial agenda.
Bloco Divinas Tretas took advantage of the gathering to remember the trial of those involved in the murder of councilor Marielle Franco – Photo: Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil
The Court judges the cases of the counselor at the Rio de Janeiro Court of Auditors (TCE-RJ) Domingos Brazão; former federal deputy Chiquinho Brazão, Domingos’ brother; the former head of the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro Rivaldo Barbosa; Military Police Major Ronald Alves de Paula and former military police officer Robson Calixto, Domingos’ advisor.
All are in pre-trial detention for their alleged participation in the murders that occurred in March 2018.
