Approximately 75,000 spectators filled the Sambadrome on the last night of the parades of the Special Group samba schools.

In the early hours of Wednesday, the Rio de Janeiro Carnival came to a close with the final parades of the samba schools, which celebrated the magic of the Amazon and conveyed messages about environmental preservation and respect for diversity.

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Approximately 75,000 spectators filled the Sambadrome on the last night of the parades of the Special Group samba schools, considered the largest open-air spectacle in the world.

The twelve artistic groups that make up this prestigious group—a sort of first division among the nearly 100 that participated this year—are the main attraction of the Rio Carnival due to their grandeur and exuberance.

Over the three nights of Special Group parades, about 36,000 samba dancers took to the Sambadrome’s runway, entertaining the audience in the stands with powerful percussion, nearly 70 elaborate floats, music, glitter, beautiful women, and great creativity.

On the third night of the most iconic Carnival parades, the last four schools to perform at the Sambadrome told stories about the future of the planet, the magic of the Amazon, and respect for gender identity.

A heartfelt tribute to the work and life of singer-songwriter Milton Nascimento, one of the most representative voices in Brazilian music, rounded out the night, in contrast to the themes of African heritage in Brazil and religious syncretism that dominated the Sunday and Monday parades.

One of the highlights of the night was the parade by the Grande Rio school, which displayed an explosion of creativity to showcase the exuberance of the Amazon through a mystical journey along the waters of the biome.

The story was based on the “pororocas parawaras,” the gigantic river waves formed when rivers meet the ocean, known in the mythology of the rainforest as the protective princesses of the Amazon.

Gigantic floats that seemed to come to life, with moving boats and objects representing the flora and fauna of the biome amid a setting resembling their natural habitat, captivated the audience, who also applauded the originality of the costumes and choreography that accompanied the parade.

The night began with a futuristic theme from the Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel school, which questioned the unrestrained advancement of technology, asserting that the true progress of the world lies in caring for Mother Earth and preserving the essence of humanity.

Next, Paraiso do Tuiuti narrated the story of Xica Manicongo, considered the first non-Indigenous transgender person in the country, who was judged and executed by the Inquisition for refusing to dress as a man.

Beyond the symbolism of this character—who was brought to the city of Salvador as a slave in the 16th century—the story was a cry of resistance from a population that, even in the 21st century, continues to demand respect for diversity.

The 2025 parades concluded with the centennial Portela school, which showcased immense creativity in paying tribute to Milton Nascimento, an artist who has retired from the stage but remains active as a composer.

Officially, Carnival came to an end this Wednesday after a month of festivities led by 482 street groups during the pre-Carnival period and following last Friday’s decree by King Momo, launching five uninterrupted days of revelry with the official opening of the Rio Carnival.

The partying, however, will continue in the city until next weekend, when the six winning samba schools will parade once again in the Sambadrome. Until then, both locals and tourists will be able to enjoy the music, joy, and vibrant colors brought by the street groups to various corners of Rio de Janeiro.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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