AND THE WINNER OF THE CARNIVAL IN SAO PAULO IS...

Hundreds of thousands of visitors head for the Carnival in Sao Paulo every year, not just to party but also to experience true Afro-Brazilian culture.  Since 1991, the Anhembi Sambadrome is the focus of Carnival celebrations in Sao Paulo. The parade features the top samba schools from the city including Mocidade Alegre, Gavioes da Fiel, Vai-Vai, Camisa Verde e Branco, Unidos do Peruche, and others. The competition includes two afoxé groups with strong Afro-Brazilian roots. Local residents are actively involved in the creation of costumes and floats for the samba schools and other street parades held throughout the city. 

Unlike Rio, the main days of the Carnival in Sao Paulo are Friday and Saturday with the top samba schools competing for the prestigious championship trophy - this year the champion being Mocidade Alegre. Over 30,000 spectators at the Sambadrome are transported into frenzy as the sights and sounds of the samba schools begin to work through their bodies. 

Following is a video of a rehearsal of the 2013 samba theme for the Mocidade Alegre which helped it win the championship, and a free translation:

Amor, vem viajar na fantasia
E encontrar o poder da sedução
Se entregar à tentação
O fruto proibido provar e sentir o prazer
Sem culpa, sem medo, pecar
Beleza, riqueza no olhar.
Emana a luz da razão
O caminho da redenção
E assim, o reino dos céus alcançar

Quando o vento soprar, eu vou voar
E te encontrar nessa imensidão
Brincar de deus, ser feliz, sonhar
Não há limites para a imaginação

Em versos a mais linda história
Romances e contos nos fazem sonhar
E se o vilão é o herói afinal?
E se o sonho se torna real?
Você é quem diz...
Para sempre, quem será feliz.
Desperta toda magia do artista,
O futuro do sambista
Um amanhã de amor e paz!
Morada, é a paixão que nos conduz
Com força e união, com garra e emoção
Num mundo sem ponto final

Vou seduzir seu coração
Com muito orgulho, sou Mocidade
Nosso final feliz, depende de você
Fazer o sonho acontecer

Love, let´s travel  in fantasy

And find the power of seduction

Surrender to temptation,

Taste the forbidden fruit and feel the pleasure

No guilt, no fear, just  sin

Stunning, dazzling.

Emanating from the light of reason

The road to redemption

And thus reach the kingdom of heaven.

When the wind blows, I'll fly

And find you  in the sea

Playing god, being happy, dreaming

There´s no limit to imagination.

In verses the most  beautiful story

Novels and short stories make us dream

And if the villain is eventually the hero?

And if the dream comes true?

You are the one who states...

who will be forever happy.

Awaken  all the artist´s magic,

The future of a samba dancer

A tomorrow of love and peace!

Our samba school is the passion that drives us

With strength and unity, with guts and emotion

In an endless world.

I will seduce your heart

With great pride, I am Mocidade

Our happy ending depends on you

Making the dream come true

SOURCES: Official site; CARNIVAL BOOKERS

AND THE WINNER OF THE CARNIVAL IN SÃO PAULO IS...

MOCIDADE ALEGRE!!!!!

This samba school showed by means of its theme and costumes the culture of the state of Bahia, the mixture of races of which the Brazilians come from.

IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND: The parades during carnival are a showcase of each "escola" enhanced by the participation of celebrities, fans and guests.Each school displays glamour in colorful costumes and floats with special effects and is organized into different segments or "alas". The "alas" represent different components of the school's theme, or "enredo", as they act out a homage to a myth, historic event or figure, or express their view on a social, environmental or international issue. The "alas" display distinct costumes or "fantasias" and also reflect traditional samba school roles developed years ago. Thus, each samba school parade has the "comissao de frente"; individuals who open the parade by walking in social attires, saluting the crowds; the "ala das Baianas", or the traditional segment of Bahian African-Brazilian ladies with impressive round dresses spinning through the avenue; the "puxadores" (lead singers) singing the "samba-enredo" or theme-song while they play the "cavaquinho" or other string instruments; the "velha guarda," or veterans who made history in the school; the "bateria", or samba band with drums, "cuicas" and other instruments, preceded by the "madrinha da bateria", or band godmother who is often a sexy female celebrity. The "porta-bandeira", or the female flag holder, and the "meste-sala", or male cortsy, display and salute the school's flag, as they dance and strive to show harmony and samba expertise, as their performance is carefully observed and scored by the judges.