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Rio Carnival 2026: Viradouro wins as politics steals the spotlight
Rio de Janeiro's annual Carnival parade concluded with samba school Viradouro clinching the championship for its tribute to a legendary drum director, but this year's event was overshadowed by a fierce political controversy.
Acadêmicos de Niterói's tribute sparks backlash
The samba school Acadêmicos de Niterói finished last in the competition after its performance honoring Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva drew sharp criticism. The school will be relegated to the second-tier Série Ouro (Gold Series) in 2027 as a result.
Their parade depicted Lula's journey from poverty-starting as a shoeshine boy-to becoming the nation's leader. Tiago Martins, the school's carnival parade designer, described the performance as a deeply personal narrative.
"The samba lyrics say it: children of the poor can become doctors, and I, a child of the poor, became a carnival designer. We wanted to tell the story of a man who did so much for the poor and for Brazil," Martins told Reuters.
Opposition cries foul over perceived electioneering
Critics accused Acadêmicos de Niterói of using the parade to promote Lula's campaign ahead of the October elections, where he is seeking a fourth term. Several lawsuits were filed, alleging the tribute could give Lula an unfair political advantage, but courts dismissed the cases. Opposition parties had even sought to block the performance entirely.
Lula attended the parade at the city's Sambadrome, watching the performance alongside thousands of spectators.
Bolsonaro portrayed as clown, sparking further outrage
The performance took a pointed political turn when former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was depicted as Bozo the Clown behind bars. The portrayal drew swift condemnation, particularly from Bolsonaro's supporters.
Flávio Bolsonaro, the ex-president's son, announced plans to appeal an electoral court decision that rejected opposition parties' requests to halt the parade.
Social media erupted with criticism over another segment of the performance, where dancers dressed as a traditional family encased in a tin can-titled "preserved neoconservatives"-were seen as mocking Christian values.
Judging and tradition amid the controversy
Despite the political uproar, the Carnival parade remained a dazzling spectacle, featuring giant lions, dancing books, and rainbow-colored plumes. The competition is judged across 10 categories by 40 judges, with the top 12 samba schools vying for the title.
