Rio's top samba schools parade the sambadrome with a controversial opening

Описание: (16 Feb 2026)
RESTRICTIONS SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 15 February 2026
++NIGHT SHOTS++
1. Academicos de Niteroi’s float with sculpture of boy holding star
2. Academicos de Niteroi’s performers with shiny red costumes
3. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Leonel Querino, samba school director: ++STARTS ON SHOT 1 AND PARTIALLY OVERLAID BY SHOT 4++
“Academicos de Niteroi comes to celebrate the popular culture of this country through the boy’s perspective, from atop the mulungu tree. The son of Dona Lindu becomes the president and defends the poor, labor rights, making a true revolution in the country with social and developing measures.”
4. Various of float with a robotic representation of Brazil’s president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
5. Various of performers and floats
STORYLINE:
After a year of preparing in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro’s top-tier samba schools entered the Sambadrome on Sunday for the opening night of Carnival parades, drawing large crowds to the stands.

First timers in the elite group of Rio’s samba, Academicos de Niterói’s theme was the story of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s life from poverty to political leadership.

The tribute has drawn criticism from right-wing politicians and legal challenges, who argue it amounts to premature electioneering and a possible violation of campaign rules ahead of this year's October vote.

Imperatriz Leopoldinense honored Brazilian singer Ney Matogrosso, present on the last float, with a theme titled “Camaleônico,” celebrating his career and artistic versatility, a cultural homage to his long influence on Brazilian music and performance.

The samba schools special group parade for three days, featuring four schools each day.

Rio's Sambadrome has been home to the parade since the 1980s, and is a symbol of Brazil's Carnival festivities.

AP video shot by: Lucas Dumphreys

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