Paolla Oliveira Reigns as Queen, Leading 105th Cordão da Bola Preta Carnival Parade, Attracting 800,000 Revelers to Rio’s Center

Celebrating its 105th year, the iconic Cordão da Bola Preta enchanted the streets of Rio de Janeiro with its annual Carnival procession, attracting a staggering 800,000 people, as reported by Riotur.

The vibrant event marked the 105th edition of the renowned parade, firmly establishing it as a cornerstone of Rio’s Carnival celebrations.

The festivities commenced at 8 AM on Rua Primeiro de Março, and by early afternoon, approximately 1 million revelers had joined the colorful spectacle.

Paolla Oliveira Leads the Extravaganza:

Actress Paolla Oliveira, adorned in a thematic costume featuring black balls in homage to the block’s name, graced the event as the queen of Cordão da Bola Preta.

Her presence added a touch of glamour to the carnival revelry, capturing the spirit of this century-old tradition.

Embracing Environmental Consciousness:

In a significant departure from tradition, this year’s theme for Cordão da Bola Preta was “Cuidar é Amar” (Caring is Loving), emphasizing the importance of environmental preservation and advocating for sustainability.

In a pioneering move, the block committed to carbon offsetting by measuring emissions from the parade’s floats.

This carbon footprint will be compensated through tree planting at Parque Lage in Jardim Botânico, Rio’s South Zone.

Legacy of the Centennial Block:

Pedro Ernesto Marinho, the president of Cordão da Bola Preta, expressed pride in maintaining the tradition of true Carioca Carnival amid challenges.

He called for greater recognition and care for Rio’s carnival blocks, highlighting their cultural significance.

Despite enduring global challenges such as World Wars, the Spanish flu, and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cordão has stood resilient.

Unveiling Compelling Histories:

Neguinho da Beija-Flor, a fixture of Cordão da Bola Preta for 49 years, shared sentiments of nostalgia and personal history intertwined with the block.

For him, the Cordão represents not just a carnival block but a family.

Meanwhile, Selminha Sorriso, the “musa das musas” (muse of muses) and Beija-Flor’s porta-bandeira (flag-bearer), acknowledged the honor of being part of the centennial celebration.

The Carnival Extravaganza:

The parade, scheduled to commence at 9 AM, offered five hours of exuberant revelry.

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