After Carnival 1983, it was clear that Rio de Janeiro needed to find a new place for its Carnival parades. Setting up and taking down the grandstands around Rua Marques de Sapucaí was an endeavor that lasted from September through May, causing massive transtornos (confusion and chaos) in the center of the city. Rio states Vice-Governor and Secretary of Culture Darci Ribeiro called in world-renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer -- most famous for his architecture in Brasilia -- to create a plan. The plan involved shutting down R. Marques de Sapucaí and turning it into a permanent Sambódromo -- a Samba-drome, which Niemeyer initially hoped would provide greater access to the parades for lower class spectators. Construction began in late September, 1983, at the same 24/7 speed as Brasilia. Meanwhile, major samba schools had grown in size and number: by 1983, there were fourteen competing, all with over 4,000 members parading. This put pressure on the parade, which some samba-school head honchos suggested be divided into two nights. However, many Carnival fans and participants -- including the traditional old guard sambistas from samba schools like Portela -- thought splitting up the parade would detract from its magic. Rio de Janeiros mayor, Jamil Haddad, supported a two-day parade, along with Alcione Barreto, the president of the Samba School Association. But when the newspaper O Globo took an initial survey for the city government, the result was 10,096 votes to maintain one day, over 9,891 to switch to two days. Governor Leonel Brizola requested that the survey be extended for two more weeks, claiming these close results left the government in a state of perplexity. After two more weeks, the result was 29,955 for one day over 21,838 for two days. Nonetheless, the city and state government determined the parade would go from being one day to two, leaving frustrated old guard sambistas feeling ignored once again. The Sambódromo and the two-day parade were inaugurated with Carnival 1984.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 19:39:34 +0000
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