Singing is seeking the path that leads to the sun. That was the theme of Portela, the traditional samba school from Rio de Janeiro, which this year paid tribute to our great artist Milton Nascimento. On Instagram, Djamila Ribeiro shared the emotion of participating in the Blue and White parade alongside her idol.

“Our Greatest Master was beautifully honored by Portela. A night of deep emotion and reverence, worthy of what Milton Nascimento deserves. I had the honor of riding on the float with him, alongside important Black national figures. As the float passed through the stands, a crowd applauded and chanted his name. It was hard to hold back tears, witnessing firsthand the love from Sapucaí and Brazil for him. Congratulations to the entire Portela community for this beautiful parade. What an honor to be part of this historic night. I love you, Bituca,” declared the Brazilian philosopher.

About the Theme

The theme was developed by carnival designers Antônio Gonzaga and André Rodrigues, who have been leading the blue and white school since last year.

The intention behind the theme was not to depict the singer and composer’s life but rather the way Milton’s work resonates with his audience and fans. “We explored how Milton’s music touches each person. In reality, we are not interested in presenting a chronological development of his personal life or career on the avenue. What matters to us is understanding the magnitude of the artist, the greatness of Milton, through the way his music influences people’s lives. Through these discoveries, we see how Milton is present in daily life, in special moments of many Brazilians, and most importantly, in the heart of our country,” analyzed André in an interview for the school’s website.

With information from Agência Brasil