Monobloco Ends Rio's 2026 Street Carnival with Tributes to Arlindo Cruz and Preta Gil
Monobloco officially closes the Rio 2026 street carnival with a parade honoring Arlindo Cruz and Preta Gil, culminating the season with themed performances and community celebration.
- • Monobloco closed Rio's street carnival on February 22 with a parade on Rua Primeiro de Março.
- • The parade theme 'Pode entrar que a casa é sua' honored Arlindo Cruz and Preta Gil.
- • Pedro Luís highlighted Preta Gil's significant legacy in street carnival culture.
- • A robbery occurred during the event, with one man arrested and the stolen item recovered.
Key details
On February 22, Monobloco officially closed the Rio de Janeiro street carnival with a parade on Rua Primeiro de Março, marking the end of the 2026 carnival season. The bloco chose the theme "Pode entrar que a casa é sua" as a tribute to the recently deceased icons Arlindo Cruz and Preta Gil. Pedro Luís, a Monobloco founding member, praised the legacy of both musicians and the impact Preta Gil had on Rio’s street carnival traditions.
The parade featured a special choreography for "Sinais de Fogo," a song closely linked to Preta Gil, and included a greater number of participants along with novel interactions involving the bloco’s drumming section. Chico Chico, son of celebrated singer Cássia Eller, attended and expressed his happiness in joining the festivities.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the event experienced a setback when a man was arrested for stealing a tourist's necklace; the stolen item was recovered. Pedro Luís described the parade as dedicated to the "inimigos do fim" (enemies of the end), with festivities continuing until noon, symbolizing the official conclusion of Rio’s carnival festivities for the year.
This closing event was part of a broader carnival programming organized by Riotur within the Preta Gil Circuit, showcasing the vibrant cultural heritage and communal spirit that define Rio’s carnival tradition.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
