The Soviet Bloc will not participate in this year's Carnival: risk to life.
The "Soviet Bloc," a traditional carnival group that once attracted 20 left-wing revelers in the capital of São Paulo, declared this Tuesday (8), in a statement entitled "Off to Cuba," that it "will end its activities"; the fear, according to the organizers, stems from the political polarization in the country; "It would put members and revelers at physical risk, which would be reckless; the statement also says that "it is no longer funny to play at recreational communism when the accusation of being a communist has become effectively dangerous – however pathetic that may be – and is widely used by the horrible political forces that have risen to power in the country"
247 - The "Soviet Bloc," a traditional carnival group that once attracted 20 left-wing revelers in São Paulo, announced on Tuesday (8), in a statement, that it "will cease its activities." The fear, according to the organizers, stems from the political polarization in the country, "putting members and revelers at physical risk, which would be reckless and, ultimately, irresponsible." The statement also says that "it is no longer funny to play at recreational communism when the accusation of being a communist has become effectively dangerous – however pathetic that may be – and is widely used by the horrible political forces that have risen to power in the country."
The organizers highlight the growth of the group, which started modestly, gathering a few dozen revelers. "We went out, for the first time, with a sound system inside a market cart. We went from the bars 'Tubaína ao Coco' in the central region to Santa Cecília, singing 'The Internationale'."
"The Soviet Bloc grew, culminating in the 2017 Carnival, when we honored the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution with a sound truck worthy of a Salvador star and more than 20 people singing and laughing along to our carnival songs," reads part of the statement.
"It's time for the Soviet Bloc to leave the stage and head to Cuba, where the left is happier, in search of revolution," the organizers lamented.
Read the full statement from the organizers of the Soviet Bloc.
Let's go, Cuba!
Back in the fondly remembered year of 2013, a handful of left-leaning revelers decided to throw a Carnival that would allow them to laugh at issues in our politics. Good times of freedom and democracy.
For those who weren't around back then, we went out for the first time with a sound system inside a market cart. We went from bars like "Tubaína ao Coco" in the city center to Santa Cecília, singing "The Internationale" and our parodies, renewed every year, commenting on the political events in Brazil.
The Soviet Bloc grew, culminating in the 2017 Carnival, when we honored the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution with a sound truck worthy of a Salvador star and over 20 people singing and laughing along to our carnival songs.
Since then, much has changed in the city of São Paulo and in the city's street Carnival. After bureaucratic problems with the City Hall (route, organization, security, etc.), we opted not to participate in 2018.
And then came the whirlwind of elections, carrying destiny away. Given the radical change in context we've experienced since 2013, we think our essential joke has run its course. It's no longer funny to play at recreational communism when the accusation of being a communist has become effectively dangerous – however pathetic that may be – and is widely used by the horrible political forces that have risen to power in the country.
It's time for the Soviet Bloc to leave the scene and head to Cuba, where the left is happier, in search of revolution. A parade of our bloc from now on, even clandestinely, would end up attracting attention without a carnival spirit, putting members and revelers at physical risk, which would be reckless and, ultimately, irresponsible.
We were never professional Carnival performers, nor were we aiming for money when we put our bloco (Carnival group) on the street. It's time to turn this beautiful red page that we wrote in the São Paulo Carnival, with so much effort and joy, and use the pent-up energy to pass the baton to other groups that will emerge with new creations, taking into account and adapting to the new reality that the city, the state, and the country are experiencing.
We'll be rooting for São Paulo's street Carnival to be vibrant and spontaneous. And may our friends from the many other groups have fun and make this city even more colorful and lively, forgetting for at least a few days the normative, conservative bias that has taken over the country.
We are immensely grateful to the other non-commercial groups like us, to the band – which is the best, most talented, engaged and committed in the Soviet world – and, especially and affectionately, we thank you who have followed us and entertained us during these 5 years and have always understood so well our criticism in the form of marches, samba, jokes and celebrations.
To all non-commercial groups who want to sing our songs, feel free. Do it! You will fill us with joy, strength, and pride!
I have to harden, but never lose my tenderness!
Hasta la victoria, camaradas!