Salgueiro Samba School has just been declared winner of the 2009 Rio Carnival, breaking 16 years of struggles. The traditional Samba School from Tijuca/ Andaraí had already won the prize "Estandarte de Ouro", commissioned by the Rio de Janeiro newspaper "O GLOBO". With this official Carnival Title, Salgueiro reached the top contest for the Rio Carnival for the 9th time. (GRES Acadêmicos do Salgueiro´s other titles were in 1960, 1963, 1965, 1969, 1971, 1974, 1975 and 1993. )

Salgueiro has one full point above all others. In total, the 2009 Rio Carnival Champion had 399.0 points, from 400 possible. A Beija Flor that won the second prized totalled 398 points while Portela, in third summed 397,9 points. Imperio Serrano Samba School was considered the weakest of all samba schools, staying at the last position and will parade next year on the "Access Group".

Salgueiro made its carnival parade in 2009 centered in a simple but powerful theme: "Drums". The red and white school had magnificent floats, luxurious costumes and a very synchronized opening section. Salgueiro Samba School won the 2009 Championship having won the maximum score in all criteria. The maximum score is 10. The vice-champion of the Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro was Beija-Flor de Nilopolis Samba School, with very impressive carnival parade too.



Above, we see the picture taken by FERNANDO BIZERRA JR from the gigantic Opening Float. The float had more than 30 meters ( 100 feet ) and was composed of 14 swirling drums, that had a different motives in each side of its skins. The carnival theme the last time Salguero was Carnival Champion in Rio was "Peguei um Ita no Norte", in 1993.

Famous personality that paraded for the 2009 Rio Carnival Champion Salgeuiro werethe drummer and singer from Bahia, Carlinhos Brown, actors Eri Johnson, Paulinho Vilhena, and soccer players Edmundo and Ronaldinho Gaúcho.

Below, a beautiful picture of Drum Queen, Viviane Araujo parading with majesty:



The legendary samba school Salgueiro, was the only one greeted by the enthusiastic audience with cries of "champion, which in a certain way, anticipated the Carnival title.

A third indication Salgueiro would be champion of the Carnival Parade in Rio de Janeiro 2009 came from the streets: In two public polls, Salgueiro was also the "2009 Champion". One of the polls was promoted by EXTRA ONLINE, se results: Salgueiro - 23.74%, Beija-Flor - 18.23% , Portela - 15.83%

The other poll was promoted by JB Online, and apointed Salgeiro as probable winner.

For those who don´t know the history of the the samba school, follows a micro summary: Salgueiro was established in March 5, 1953 from the merger of Morro do Salgueiro's two samba schools called Azul e Branco do Salgueiro (Salgueiro's Blue and White) and Depois Eu Digo (I'll Say it Later), which then merged again with Unidos do Salgueiro. It first paraded in 1954 with the Romaria à Bahia samba. Some of the most legendary carnival sambas produced by Salgueiro were "Festa Para Um Rei Negro" (Pega No Ganzê), "Bahia de Todos os Deuses", "Peguei Um Ita no Norte" (Explode Coração), "Chica da Silva" and "Skindô! Skindô!".

Another famous carnival muse for SalgueiroSamba School, Angela Bismark, wearing a luxurious head-piece.




Below we posted main data/facts for the Salgeiro 2009 :

Foundation: 1953
Colors: Red and White
Symbol: Percussion Intruments
Neighborhood: Andaraí
President: Regina Duran
Carnival Art Director: Renato Lage
Oficial Singer: Quinho
Carnival Director: Tavinho Novello
Drum Section Director: Master Marcão
Carnival Queen of Drums: Viviane Araújo
Samba-Host and Flag Bearer: Ronaldinho & Gleice Simpatia
Opening Section Choreographer: Hélio Bejani


Below, we reproduced the Logo of the 2009 RIo Carnival Champion:



CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE 2009 TITLE !