On every corner, a block: this is the spirit of the unofficial opening of Rio de Janeiro’s carnival, which brings together thousands of revelers, from Aterro do Flamengo to the Praça XV region, in the center. There are around 30 blocks, and the majority prefer to parade unofficially, that is, without participating in the city hall’s registration process.
Musician Guto Souza, who has been playing the tuba in Blocos for over ten years, explains why: “It’s a meeting of friends and musicians who are playing informally, without it being a job. We always try to get away from the crowd.”
Tuba players Alexandre da Albergaria, Diojaime Viana and Guto Souza, at the unofficial opening of Rio’s carnival – Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil
This Sunday, for example, upon arriving at Praça XV, Guto met two friends, who also play the tuba, and were waiting for the time to perform. The size of the instrument is impressive, but Diojaime Viana says he can’t put it down: “We have no sense, it’s an instrument that weighs 14 kilos, but if the block has a tuba it’s because the band is good. If someone left home with an instrument like this, to play on the street, means that he’s not just there for a walk. He wants to meet up with his friends and have a lot of fun.”
Another presence that has become traditional in Rio’s blocks are the pertaltas: revelers who parade on stilts, like Cintia Caroline. She fell in love with the practice by watching other waders in a block and, five years ago, decided to learn so she could also enjoy the festivities from above. “It’s enchanting to the eyes and has a great power. It has all this load that we bring as women, often oppressed in certain situations but, on top of the stilt, free and happy and showing all our power. It was which made me want to be in that place too.”
Parade of the Mulheres Rodadas block, in the center of Rio de Janeiro- Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil
And the enchantment was so great that today she also parades as a wader in blocks in Belo Horizonte, where she lives: “I always do the beginning of carnival in Rio, then I go to BH, and spend all my official carnival there, and after I’m going back to Rio”, explained Cinthia.
And this prolonged carnival in Rio de Janeiro is also celebrated by carnival workers, like Jaqueline dos Santos Ferreira, who sells drinks at street parties five years ago. Each procession brings the street vendor a little closer to her big dreams: “Buying my house and ensuring that my children go to college. That’s my project. I work from Thursday to Sunday, and I think this year will be very good for sales “, cheers Jaqueline.
Street vendor Jaqueline dos Santos Pereira with her food stall drinks on Rua do Mercado, in the center of Rio – Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil
