Cordon of the Boitatá Ball gathers 50,000 revelers and celebrates two decades of history

Bangalafumenga returns to Aterro with a crowd and Charanga Talisman takes Latin American procession to the streets of Vila Kosmos.

On Sunday, Square XV, in the Center of Rio, became a large open-air hall, with the holding of the traditional Cordon of the Boitatá ball. Inspired by the old popular dances, the event brought together a crowd of 50,000 revelers, who danced and sang to the sound of a repertoire that covered different genres of Brazilian music. This year, the ball celebrated its 20 years of history and integrated the celebrations of the Cordão do Boitatá, a group that first went out on the streets in 1997 and is recognized as one of the protagonists of the revitalization of the Carnaval of Rio.

In charge of the party, the Orchestra of the Cordão do Boitatá, formed by 15 musicians, led the public for more than six uninterrupted hours of presentation, with a repertoire that brought together historical marchinhas, sambas, frevos, afoxés and copyright compositions, in sophisticated arrangements that dialogue with the tradition and renewal of Brazilian music. “The Cordão do Boitatá is an autonomous Carnaval, without brands or sponsorships. The Carnaval is a dispute for the right to the city, and the bloc represents this conquest by occupying the streets with its own history”, explained Adriana Schneider, one of the founders of the block.

The presentation also featured participations of artists and invited groups, such as Jongo da Serrinha, Claudio Jorge, Moyseis Marques, Marquinhos de Oswaldo Cruz, Teresa Cristina, Mariana Baltar, Marcos Sacramento, Beatriz Rabello, Marcelinho Moreira, Lazzo Matumbi, Maryzelia and Rita Benneditto, among others. Throughout its trajectory, the ball has gathered more than 150 artists and musical collectives, consolidating itself as one of the most emblematic events in the carnival calendar of the city.

The singer Teresa Cristina recalled this trajectory marked by confrontations and achievements, highlighting the importance of the group for the cultural history of the city. “Boitatá is an example of cultural resistance. Over these 30 years, the block faced many challenges to put the Carnaval on the street and built a very rich musicality. To me, the Boitatá represents the history of the Carnaval of Rio ", he said. According to her, the repertoire of the block dialogues with fundamental names of Brazilian music, such as Pixinguinha, Moacir Santos, João da Baiana, Martinho da Vila, Gal Costa and Rita Lee, reaffirming their role in the preservation and continuity of the carnival tradition.

After playing “Acalanto” and “Silver Rain”, Teresa Cristina paid a tribute to Black Gil by singing “Fire Bells”. The gesture repeated the tribute made by Ivete Sangalo during the Carnaval in the city, thrilling the present audience.

The musician Marquinhos de Oswaldo also celebrated his participation in the Boitatá and highlighted the role of the block in valuing the cultural traditions of Rio de Janeiro. “The joy is very great to participate in this bloc. Boitatá is a kind of baobab of traditions, from Rio de Janeiro songs. Amid a cosmopolitan city, we have a safe haven of our traditions, which is to come and enjoy the Carnaval, is to come and sing in the Pitata.”

Friend of the initial core of Cordão do Boitatá, actress Georgiana Góes has been following the block for almost 30 years and highlights its transformation from a street procession to a large popular dance that occupies the city, marked by Brazilian music and strong Afro-Brazilian references. For her, recent institutional recognition represents an achievement after years of resistance, and the bond with the block remains affective. “Today it’s exciting to bring my daughter and live it as a family. Boitatá carries a very strong history and legacy and deserves to continue existing for a long time ", he said.

Recognized as an Inmaterial Heritage of the State of Rio de Janeiro and awarded with important municipal cultural decorations, the Cordão do Boitatá celebrates, in 2026, also the 30 years of his Street Court and the return of the parade to the region of Rua First of March, in the Circuita Preta Gil. This Sunday's dance reaffirmed the group's role in preserving and renewing the music memory of the Carnaval, keeping alive the tradition of popular dances and strengthening the democratic character of the party in the streets of Rio.

Bangalafumenga gathers 50,000 people at Aterro do Flamengo in return for Carnaval

After a year without parade, Bangalafumenga returned to the Rio Carnaval and gathered about 50,000 people on stage “Me Meets Me in the Land” at Flamengo. The reunion with the public was marked by the strength of the batucada and the energy characteristic of the block, which reaffirmed its position as one of the main names of the Carnaval of Rio de Janeiro street.

For Rodrigo Maranhão, a musician and one of the founders of Bangalafumenga, the path of the bloc has always been linked to the ability to keep joy alive over time. “Sustaining this energy for so many years requires pauses, revisions and conscious choices. This recent period was important so that the block could look inside, understand their paths and recognize more clearly their own identity ", he said. According to him, the return to the streets represents more than the resumption of a parade, but the reconnection with the collective spirit that always defined the block.

Behind the scenes of this revolution, Gustavo Soares, producer of the block and long-time folião, for whom the experience had a special meaning. “I have always been fun and today being in the production of Bangalafumenga is a gift. It is the first time working directly with the block, which is formed by a very high astral crowd and that really embraces the Carnaval ", commented proud.

In terms of musical identity, Bangalafumenga maintained its essence, with a proposal based on the mix of rhythms and references of Brazilian popular music, led by the force of percussion. During the performance of the block, artists such as Sérgio Loroza, Julia Vargas, Hamilton Fofão and Karinah passed through the stage.

The Malu von Kruger foliage has been following Bangalafumenga for almost two decades since it entered the block workshop in 2006 and integrated the battery for about ten years. Currently as a foliã, she maintains a strong affective connection with the group, evidenced in the fantasy made with shirt flaps from previous editions of the block. “It is a love that always reappears in the Carnaval”, he said. For Malu, the return after a year without parade was especially exciting. “For me, it’s the best block in Rio de Janeiro. It was very sad not to have left last year, and coming back now was wonderful ", completed.

This year's presentation celebrated Bangalafumenga's trajectory, strengthened its traditions and transformed the Aterro do Flamengo into a meeting space, music and collective joy. After three decades of history, the bloc reaffirms its essence as a living movement, guided by celebration, music and the construction of a unique identity that continues to mobilize generations of revelers.

Charanga Talisman takes Latin American procession and occupies the streets of Vila Kosmos

The quiet Meriti Avenue, in Vila Kosmos, in the North Zone of Rio, was different this Sunday. Since before 7:00, animated revelers have colored the sidewalks for the Charanga Talisman block parade. Confetes, glitter, wigs and fans gave the tone of the procession, which had its traditional legs paving the way and reinforcing the scenic character of the group.

“Our first parade was in Gloria, with a procession in the Outer, but already there was in us the desire to leave the center-south zone axis and take the block to the North Zone. It is very important to be able to integrate into the territory, people and the history of the neighborhood. Charanga always thinks the plot in dialogue with the place where she parades, creating a true connection with the community. This year, we talk about the Latin American union and contemporary themes, connecting music, scene and reflection in the procession ", said Yuri Rodrigues Genúncio, director of harmony and one of the founders of the bloc.

With the theme “Me Encanta Latin America”, the block presented a parade marked by circus performances, a powerful metal suit and the presence of keyboard between instruments, expanding their sound diversity. The repertoire also dialogues with contemporary references, such as Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny, reinforcing the political position of the group. “We will play Bad Bunny, of course, and this also reinforces Charanga’s political character. The bloc has always had this position, and it becomes even more relevant at a time like the current one, in which it is essential to strengthen our identity as citizens of Latin America and as Brazilians ", highlighted.

“ My history with Charanga began as a revelry a few years ago. I've always admired the block for the energy and the sense of community, it's a real charangueira family. Last year, I received the invitation to participate as a legelta and accepted immediately. It is very special to be with a group that has purpose, which respects the street and proposes a Carnaval that goes beyond the traditional circuit of the Center and the South Zone ", said Matheus Rebel, pernalta of the block.

According to him, Charanga also fulfills the role of occupying other territories and attracting people who do not normally attend Vila Kosmos, while establishing a strong harmony with the residents, who receive the procession enthusiastically. The proposal is to provide an experience of collective enchantment, valuing the neighborhood and strengthening the relationship between the block, the territory and the community.

Integration with residents is evident along the way. Many leave their homes to accompany the parade and join the revelry, while others take advantage of the movement to sell drinks and food, contributing to warm the local trade. There are also those who prefer to observe the party at a distance, as the resident Ana Cristina Oliveira, who, next to her mother, Ivete Oliveira, 83 years old, talked to a group of revelers before the beginning of the procession.

“ They're great, always very respectful to the locals and the street. It's a Carnaval that's very reminiscent of the old ones, and the costumes are beautiful. I used to follow the parade in the middle of them, but today my mother and I prefer to watch from here the gate even ", Ana Cristina told, living in the neighborhood for almost 50 years.

Blocks occupy South Zone with processions and celebrations on the streets

In the South Zone, the Nice Blocks It is Almost Love, Sand and Orangeda took thousands of revelries to the streets in parades marked by celebration and strong connection with the public.

In Ipanema, the Sympathy celebrated its 40 years with a tribute to the native peoples and journalist Marceu Vieira, reaffirming its political and affective character. In the Leblon, Sand animated the waterfront with a light and beachy repertoire, while Orangeda turned the streets of Laranjeiras into a humorous and participatory procession, reinforcing the spirit of the Carnaval of Rio.

Full programming can be checked in the application Rio blocks 2026 and on the official website https://www.carnavalderua.rio/ Making sure all the revelers know where and when the revelry is coming.