Viradouro Wins Best School at Rio’s 2026 Carnival Awards

• Crítica: With a celebration of Mestre Ciça, Viradouro declares its passion for Carnival in a breathtaking parade
• Quem é Mestre Ciça, the theme of the Viradouro winner of the Estandarte de Ouro

A Tribute to Carnival Itself

The jury praised the school’s masterful exploration of Ciça’s charisma, both as a representative of traditional samba and as a prominent figure in the art form. Viradouro also won for Best Theme. Ciça opened and closed the parade, first appearing in the front commission, then riding a motorcycle to join the percussion section at the conclude of the procession. Accompanied by actress Juliana Paes – returning as queen after a 17-year hiatus – he then led the school from atop a float.

“It was a unique experience. When the school decided to make Ciça the theme, it wasn’t just about him, but about every samba artist who builds Carnival,” said Alex Fab, director of Viradouro. “The public received it and embraced the story. These are moments that will be remembered, I consider, by every samba artist. We saw that even people who don’t support the school started to support it in that moment. It’s a singular energy.”

• Vídeos: winner of the Estandarte de Ouro 2026, the front commission of Viradouro had Ciça acclaimed at the Apoteose

The Vermelho e Branco (Red and White) school from Niterói also took home the award for Best Front Commission. Choreographers Priscilla Mota and Rodrigo Negri, with their presentation titled “Eu vi… A Vida Pulsar Como Fosse Canção” (I saw… Life Pulsate Like a Song), created an opening that captured the emotion of Moacyr Silva Pinto’s life.

“We spent the season alongside Ciça, since April. He came into our room and said, ‘The master’s whistle will echo.’ That phrase had to be in the samba. We looked at each other and thought, ‘Really, it’s an instrument of the master, it’s the communication with the school, it indicates the beginning and end of the parade, it calls the percussion and pulses the heart of the school.’ If the master says the whistle will echo, who are we to say it won’t? We created a giant, enchanted whistle, spinning, bringing this instrument in a poetic way and representing Ciça’s wish,” explained Priscilla.

He was then rushed to an exit on Sector 12, where he mounted a motorcycle to rejoin the procession. Acclaimed by the public during the parade, Mestre Ciça left the final float of Viradouro visibly moved on Tuesday morning. The honored artist was surrounded by performers and fans, celebrating his career.

“Carnival won here today. It’s a unique moment. The emotion of the people, of the school, prevailed. We made a champion’s parade, in the arms of the people,” Ciça said during the parade. The master percussionist was chosen as “Personality of the Year” by the jury.

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Julinho was awarded the prize for Mestre-Sala (male lead dancer), marking his second consecutive win and sixth of his career. He dedicated the victory to his brother, Edson Ney, who passed away earlier this month.

“I was extremely happy and very moved. The feeling is a debt of gratitude to my brother, who passed away two weeks ago. I had promised that this Carnival would be in his memory and everything he represents to me. Everything we go through is part of God’s purpose, we will only understand later,” he said.

Edson Ney passed away on February 1st due to complications from pneumonia associated with diabetes. Julinho learned of the news minutes before stepping onto the Sambadrome during Viradouro’s technical rehearsal. Despite the news, he still paraded with the school. In addition to his brother, Julinho also dedicated the award to his partner of nearly 20 years, Rute, and to Mestre Ciça, the theme of Viradouro.