Rio de Janeiro Carnival: Grande Rio Samba School wins parade competition

Grande Rio Samba School was crowned champion of Rio Carnival parade competition on Tuesday (April 26). The school from an impoverished neighborhood of Duque de Caxias put up a grand show in the famed carnival. This year Rio Carnival was organised for the first time after a hiatus of two years. The festivities were suspended due to the Coviod pandemic. But this time, Brazillians and revellers from all around the world converged in Rio de Janeiro to celebrate the festive spirit.

There are 12 Samba school in Rio who compete in the parade competition. Their performance during the parade is carefully judged. Here, a member of Rio Grande Samba School can be seen performing during the carnival.

Performance of the Samba schools is judged on their floats - both their design and technical functioning, costumes, drum section, theme and lyrics, and the overall execution.

This year, Rio Grande Samba School's performance was dedicated to deity Exu. In this picture, Samba Queen and actress Paolla Oliveira from the Grande Rio samba school can be seen performing.

Rio Grande Samba school won the top prize in the parade for the first. In past they have been in second place for four consecutive years.

The six top samba schools will fill the avenue again for a "champions' parade" Saturday night (April 30).