Books originate samba: Stories that shook Rio carnival in 2024
A good story can unfold in various forms, languages, and rhythms. In books, it unfolds slowly, meticulously, often engaging the eyes and thoughts. When conveyed through music, especially in a samba-enredo—a song composed for a samba school parade—it condenses into short, rhyming verses that set the body in motion at a brisk pace. This sensory and intellectual experience is what spectators have witnessed in the parades at Marquês de Sapucaí, Rio de Janeiro's sambadrome, during this year's carnival. At least five samba schools drew inspiration for their storylines and floats from literary works.Author Alberto Mussa was among the writers whose books served as a reference in the sambadrome. A carnival enthusiast, he grew up in a family deeply connected to Rio's carnival associations.His un...