Suburban Madness rejoices the streets of the Inner Engenho, in the North Zone, with its traditional parade

With the theme “Suburban Madness, I ‘Tiamu” the Block Suburban Madness took all its irreverence to the streets of the neighborhood of Engenho de Indoor, in the North Zone of Rio, on the afternoon of Thursday, February 12. The samba, composed by Gabriel Cascardo, Yuri Branco, Cecília Cruz and Bruno Page, the Madness celebrates its own history in 2026. The plot honors its bulwarks, such as Zé Espingela, Dona Ivone Lara, who for years worked at the Institute and Nise da Silveira herself, without which the block would not exist.

Excited, Binho, official interpreter of the block, highlighted the importance of the association in its personal trajectory and in the life of the community of Engenho de Inner. “This complete year 24 parades around the block and, for me, it is always a day of great joy and excitement. I try to bring this same happiness to the entire Inner Engineer community, because what we live here goes far beyond music. This bloc represents peace, freedom and inclusion. He's part of my story. Today my daughter also parades, and my wife, Livia, participates for the first time in the sound car as an interpreter. For me, the bloc is life, it is integration, it is all that the human being needs: union, respect and much samba”, he said.

Created in 2001 as part of the process of deconstruction of the current mental health model within the Municipal Institute Nise da Silveira, the block is part of the neighborhood of the hospital in the rescue of the Carnaval of Rua do suburb of Rio. Cheerful and relaxed, he is made up of “clients” of the Institute, as Dr. Nise used to call her patients, family members, mental health professionals and residents.

Along its route you can see residents of houses and buildings leave to accompany the block, which has a sound car, drums, interpreter and legists, which open the procession. Fantasies are made in workshops that take place throughout the year within the Institute. The same is true of the rhythmists, who rehearse in the Institute's premises throughout the year.

During the concentration you can see the integration between customers and visitors, who unite in a unique tune to enjoy the parade. With banners and fun costumes, they make it a point to show the result of the workshop work for everyone coming to enjoy the parade.

Married 15 years ago, Alexandre de Oliveira Souza and Andréa Souza leave Copacabana every year to accompany the Suburban Madness parade. The couple says that the relationship with the block began nine years ago, motivated by the daughter, a mental health patient and in love with Carnaval. “ We have a daughter who is mentally ill and, for us, it is very important to support movements that work on this issue. Madness entered our lives nine years ago because of her, who loves Carnaval. And nothing better than hanging out with her in a block as aggregating as this one.”, concludes Andréa.