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Samba Pass completes three years and begins the countdown to Carnival
Published on 27/02/2025 - 14:50 | Updated
Samba Pass provides free classes to around 230 members of samba schools - Yohann Fernandes/City Hall of Rio Samba Pass, a project that offers physical and artistic training at the Vila Olímpica Apolinho, in Gamboa, for high-performance samba dancers from Rio de Janeiro's samba schools, is celebrating its third anniversary. The masters of ceremonies, flag bearers, members of the front commission and dancers who participate in the free classes at the Rio de Janeiro City Hall facility are looking forward to yet another Carnival. Created by the João Goulart Foundation (FJG) in partnership with the Municipal Department of Sports, the initiative serves approximately 230 members of samba schools, from the Special Group to the Bronze Series, with free classes from Tuesday to Saturday at the Vila Olímpica. The modalities offered include pilates, functional training, water aerobics, dance and specific exercises for each segment.
– Samba Pass is a success and has contributed greatly to Carnival. I am very happy to see the project completing three years and helping more and more samba professionals to prepare for the parade – said the municipal secretary of sports, Guilherme Schleder.
Samba Pass is coordinated by physical education teachers and samba professionals Matheus Olivério, master of ceremonies at Estação Primeira de Mangueira, and Julinho Nascimento, master of ceremonies at Unidos do Viradouro. Both samba professionals, they talk about how much the project has contributed to the development of professionals over the years.
– It’s been wonderful to see Samba Pass complete three years. It was a dream to carry out a project like this. There are several initiatives that train masters of ceremonies and flag bearers, but there was a lack of something that would take care of physical preparation and provide support for those who come from these formations. This makes our project unique. It’s different from everything else that exists within the associations – said Julinho.
Matheus Olivério reinforced the importance of the project, which has become a reference for other states.
– We are in the final stretch for Carnival and Samba Pass is in full swing. The project is only growing. We have carried out several exchanges with groups from other states, such as São Paulo, to showcase some of our work and we are very happy with the results achieved over these three years.
Flag bearer Raquel Silva began her career at the age of 14, in Rio Grande do Sul. She currently parades in the Silver Series for Império da Uva and discovered the project through social media. Since then, she has become a regular student. Last year, with the help of the Samba Pass preparation, Raquel was champion with Tradição, alongside master of ceremonies Romulo Diniz.
– I started training in April and it helped a lot. Now we are in the final stretch, just keeping up with my fitness. The Samba Pass is essential. In addition to helping me physically, it has opened doors for me and helped me artistically. There are several stages that lead up to the big day, the parade. The exercises are all planned based on the movements we make, on what we do during the dance. It is a very important support.
