Camisa Verde e Branco presents samba with MST and Júlio Lancellotti

Current Brazil Network - Once again, the samba schools of São Paulo present themes with relevant social criticism. One of the groups that brings themes from the communities is Camisa Verde e Branco. The school is in the Access Group I, which parades this Sunday (19). The green and white theme this year will be “Invisible. How long will poverty sustain the wealth of men who plague the country?” On the same day, Vai Vai, X-9 Paulistana, Nenê de Vila Matilde and Pérola Negra complete the festivities.

This Carnival, on the Anhembi Sambadrome avenue, there are symbols of the struggle in defense of the most vulnerable. Among them, a highlight is Father Júlio Lancellotti, from the Pastoral Care for the Homeless of the Archdiocese of São Paulo. For years, the parish priest has dedicated his life to helping the most vulnerable, often confronting the State, the police, and the most powerful. In addition to the priest, a delegation from the largest social movement on the continent, the Landless Workers' Movement (MST), will be present. Also expected is the widow of educator Paulo Freire, Nita Freire.

“For the MST, which is a peasant struggle movement, being able to be part of this great celebration of Brazilian culture is very special. Being able to be part of this narrative, which brings together social struggles, the fight for housing, the fight for education, the fight for dignity, and also highlighting the magnificent work of Father Júlio Lancelotti, the fight for land and agrarian reform, is extremely important,” comments Ana Chã, from the MST's National Culture Collective.

Green and White Jersey and visibility

The Camisa Verde e Branco samba school honors other figures who fought to humanize the treatment of the most vulnerable. Among them are Zilda Arns, Lélia Gonzales, Marielle Franco, Paulo Freire, Darcy Bibeiro, and Dom Paulo Evaristo Arns. "Fortunately, we have had Brazilians with the power and sensitivity to see the invisible and guarantee the basic rights of citizens. Brazilians who made it their life's difficult mission to protect the lives and rights of other children of this land," states the school's leadership.

“In 2023, Mocidade Camisa Verde e Branco raises its voice and clenches its fist in a cry for the underprivileged and ignored by the system, and honorably exalts the gaze of those who had the greatness to see the invisible. A project still in progress, which will be built with the voice of its people, with debates and conversations during the carnival's construction process, which, beyond a parade, will be a manifesto in favor of listening to their experiences and conflicts,” it concludes.

According to the proposed storyline, the presence of the MST (Landless Workers' Movement) was inevitable. Ana recalls that the social movement's participation in Carnival is nothing new. It participated in the late 90s with Império Serrano in Rio de Janeiro; in 2002 with Neném da Vila Matilde in São Paulo; and in 2007 with Gaviões da Fiel, also in São Paulo. "The idea is to bring to the heart of the city the banner of agrarian reform, the production of healthy food, agroecology, social justice, and the struggle for a better world, where a large part of the population is not invisible. On the contrary, it should be participatory, active, and celebratory."

Engaged plots

Carnival officially began on Friday (17). In addition to the street parties and parades, the drums at the Anhembi Sambadrome kicked things off on the same day. On Friday and Saturday, the 14 schools of the Special Group paraded. Among them, groups that also bring important reflections. This is the case of Barroca Zona Sul, with the theme "Guaicurus", which addresses the indigenous issue. Rosas de Ouro presents the theme "Kindala. May Tomorrow Not Be Just a Yesterday with a New Name". It is an ode to diversity, respect and racial equality. Also with an Afro theme, Tom Maior pays homage to black mothers, as well as orixás and ancestry. Império de Casa Verde follows the path of African ancestry with the theme "Empire of Drums: An Afromusical Brazil". 

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