Grande Rio Samba School in Rio de Janeiro´s Carnival did a great parade this year. The samba school from Duque de Caxias region known to host several showbiz celebrities, ended up at the 5th position, out of the 12 samba schools of the Especial Group. Below you will see the Grande Rio´s 2009 explanation of the parade theme and some of the photos of Grande Rio Samba School 2009 parade.


In 2009, G.R.E.S. Acadêmicos do Grande Rio will honor the “Year of France in Brazil.” Our intention is to consolidate the fraternal relationship between the two countries, which was fundamental for the construction of Brazil’s identity as a nation. Through the arts, science, technology, education and culture in general, France has always been present in our country.



In 2005, the “Year of Brazil in France” was celebrated, honoring Brazilians with many events and cultural activities and providing the French an insight of our artistic diversity. In 2009, it is our turn to receive many cultural and artistic activities from France. By honoring back, we will show to Brazilians the importance of this nation, and will renew our ties to it.

There’s nothing like carnaval, the biggest spectacle on Earth, to be the stage of this big confraternization party. Grande Rio through the theme “Voila Caxias! Para sempre Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, Merci Beaucoup Brésil! Não Tem de Quê!” plans to praise the several years of French presence in Brazil.




THE SUN THAT ILUMINATES THE COURT ---> Click the link to watch the Grande Rio Video

Free your imagination because Grande Rio invites you to dance! Give yourself to this inebriate and luxurious party of the most exuberant court of all times, the court of the Sun King. The fireworks illuminate the gardens of Versailles. Taste this court’s best wines and champagnes served in the most refined crystal glasses. The setting is the majestic room of mirrors of Palais du Soleil. In this place of unique beauty, images of the great characters of French history are part of a big and timeless ludic delirium. Look at Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI, Madame du Barry and Madame de Pompadour. The host of this party is Louis XIV, the king who shone like the Sun.


It is in this seducing and fascinating Bal Masqué of kings and queens, dukes and duchesses where our story will begin. The rotation of the mirrors in the grandiose room sparkles not only the reflections of the big chandeliers, but also opens the gates for the wonders of the unknown Terra Brasilis.

THE WONDERS OF A LAND CALLED BRAZIL

… And France became fascinated by Brazil. This is no surprise for it effervesced with abundant and exuberant animals and plants, as Jean Lérry described. His writings about Brazil captured in a unique way our natural beauties. In a way, his eyes were the eyes of France. The first surprise happened in the trip to Brazil when shoals of fish flew outside the water! After landing, the pictorial beauty of the Tupinambá Indians seduced his eyes. The exotic birds and the colors of the tropical fruits added to the enchantment. But the natural beauties were not the only reason for the enchantment… The wood used to give color was object of greed, for gaining its commercial monopoly meant huge profits. The French found the solution to explore Pau-Brasil by offering the Indians objects of low value, such as mirrors, necklaces, combs and beads.




Besides the natural wonders and the possibility of profits by exploring Pau-Brasil, the sensuality of our female Indians almost shattered the French dream of establishing settlements. The Antarctic France almost turned into a nightmare! Even carrying some controversy, this contact with the French was a pleasure! It was because of it that Rio appeared. The possibility of losing territory for Villegaignon forced the Sás clan to drive the danger away. After the French exit, the city of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro was founded in March 1st of 1565.


THE LIGHT OF A NEW TIME

This contact between France in Brazil generated more benefits than the few “dimes” pocketed by the French Monarchy with the smuggling of Pau-Brasil. The life experience of Indians helped to shape the political grounds of France and served as foundation for the French Revolution. In other words, the liberty, equality and fraternity of our Tupinambás were turned by the writings of Montaigne into the sans culottes’ motto Liberté Egalité e Fraternité.



The dreams of an eccentric queen, added to the privileges of a secular clergy, resulted in the dissatisfaction of a social circle. The Third French Estate, which included the bourgeoisie and ordinary citizens, rebelled against such privileges. The Revolution was created.

The French Revolution , seen by Grande Rio Samba School , irradiated as a light beam to other places. If at first it had not been enough to deflagrate strong movements like the one from July 14th of 1789, at least it showed that things could change. In the 18th century Minas Gerais, the revolutionary light inspired Conjuração Mineira (Minas Conspiracy), which fought for change in the order of the province. In Bahia of All Saints, the revolutionary French ideals were absorbed by the popular classes. The Conjuração Baiana, also known as the Revolt of the Tailors, united around ideas of equality a mass of rights deprived individuals: ex-slaves, soldiers, tailors and many more. These were the reflections of the French Revolution in Brazil, where the ideals of liberty guided a people, like Eugéne Delacroix portrayed with subliminal inspiration.




ART AS MISSION

The French Revolution and its aftermath forced a great number of artists to migrate, carrying with them the new artistic trends of the 19th century: The Neoclassicism.
This same revolution forced out of its territory an entire court. D. João moved to Brazil and took his court, with its habits and customs. In the colony, these people did not find a friendly environment, but destiny started to play in favor of these “castaways.” D. João had open doors for the French Artistic Mission. The kingdom was going to have refinement, and the artists were going to have a lot to portray.


Among the artists, sculptors, architects and painters, was Jean-Baptiste Debret. He was able to masterfully variegate the mulatto essence of this tropical colony. In his canvas, the only thing not captured was the sounds of this crossbred court in America, the first and only in world history! The French missionary art made flourish in 19th century Brazil the taste for European sophistication. Starting with the French mission, the foundations of Escola de Belas Artes (School of Fine Arts) were laid, which consolidated the base for the construction of more national arts!


FROM CARIOCA PARIS TO ETERNAL PARIS

19th century Rio de Janeiro was inspired by Paris! Ouvidor Street was the center of this. It was through this address that fashion and many other customs from Paris were spread out to the city. However, if the French presence at the Ouvidor wasn’t able to satisfy the will of many to be in French territory, there was the possibility of imagining. Those who frequented the neighborhood crossed an imaginary arch that took them to triumphant Paris.



Now, in the City of Lights it’s possible to face its many monuments. It’s possible to take a break for the exercise of eating good food and dream about different topics at the charming cafés as the profusion of blurry colors of the French sunset announces the arrival of the evening. The lights of Paris are alone worthy the trip. Being all this fruit of the imagination, let’s enjoy the luxuriant essence of cabarets, especially the magic and magnificence of Moulin Rouge. It seduces through the provoking architecture and the great spectacles it features.

Video of Suzana Vieira Actress as a Grande Rio Highlight

STEPS TOWARDS THE FUTURE

France, through its wonders, seduced Pereira Passos and his crew of architects, engineers and sanitarists to put in place urbanistic reforms in 20th century Rio de Janeiro. Passos, mayor at the time, revolutionized the architecture of the Brazilian capital.

Belle Époque dressed the republican capital with glamour and sophistication. Rio gained European, particularly French, vibe. To take a walk in the city was almost like doing the same in Paris, given the amount of boulevards and enlarged streets. Maybe the only difference was that it was hotter than Paris. This is why during the initial stage of the Republic Rio de Janeiro was known as “Paris of the Tropics”.



One of the examples of this influence was the construction of Teatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro (Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro), building entirely inspired in Ópera de Paris which served to offer more artistic and cultural opportunities to the city’s a rising bourgeoisie.

However, we cannot forget that despite being seduced by France, Brazilians seduced the eyes of the word with the “flying machine” having as their setting French territory. Yes, Santos Dumont’s 14 Bis encouraged the search for new paths for development.

Today, France is flying higher than in the past. The intellectual universe made of respected icons caught the attention of the world and showed the evolution of this nation. Since then, it sough restlessly new technologies, scientific improvement and new architectonic concepts, serving as inspiration and help for many other nations.

VOILA, CAXIAS

It’s about time for confraternization. Let’s grab our three colored flags and go to the great Praça de La Concorde do samba, known as Marquês de Sapucaí. There is no better place to celebrate the union between France and Brazil, which has existed since the early stages of our country. Let’s mix the colors of our flags to create the flag of the union of these two people, which are different in many aspects but are united under the ideals of liberty and equality.

Below, the official Grande Rio´s Theme Logo



Go Caxias, to the victory! Let’s be inspired by the revolutionary from Marseille to fight for a place in the top positions of samba. Let the chords of the great French triumphs from the past be mixed with our exciting beats to result in an ode to exaltation!

Open passage because the party will get started. There’s nothing like carnival to ratify this union, for carnival exists in France as well. Sapucaí and Nice are intertwined by a spectacle of colors, confetti and lights! French people wearing masks hold hands with the Brazilian swing to parade and together celebrate this old and promising relationship!

In the Year of France in Brazil, it’s up to us, Caxienses and Brazilians, to honor this country which has inspired us with ideals, habits and forms. Many years still lie ahead of us. With them, the fraternity of these two nations will be perpetuated.




Above, Paola Oliveira Carnival Muse</b> and Grande Rio Flag


Vive la France! Viva o Brasil!
Carnaval Designer: Cahê Rodrigues
Colaboration and Research: Hiram Araújo