Carnival goes beyond party and helps strengthen causes across the country

 “Ó abre alas, que eu quero passar!” We’ve reached February and, in many cities, we already see people dressed in costumes at balls and in the streets, singing and dancing. But Carnival is not just about costumes. The most celebrated time of the year goes beyond fun and brings a lot of social criticism and solidarity to the streets, helping to strengthen various causes across the country. Lupa do Bem has selected some street blocos and other festivities with this approach! Check it out!

Belo Horizonte – MG

In Belo Horizonte, the traditional Pena de Pavão de Krishna Block Party (@penadepavaodekrishna) will perform a clown bike intervention to honour Julieta Hernández, a Venezuelan cyclist and traveller recently murdered in Brazil. The Pavão procession takes place on February 11, starting at 7 a.m., in the União neighborhood, in the Northeast region of Belo Horizonte.

Also on February 11th, in the capital of Minas Gerais, the agglomeration Todo Mundo Cabe No Mundo draws attention to accessibility and welcomes people with disabilities to the streets of Belo Horizonte. The idea is for every citizen to feel invited to participate in the party as a reveller! The party will be at the Memorial Minas Gerais Vale, in Praça da Liberdade, Belo Horizonte – MG, at 10:30 a.m. More details on the profile @todomundocabenomundo on Instagram.

Natal – RN

On February 17th, the NGO ReforAMAR promotes the traditional Carnaval Solidário (‘Solidarity Carnival’) with lots of samba, feijoada and caipirinha in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. The money raised from the party will be used to finance the NGO’s projects, which voluntarily carry out renovations of homes and civil society organizations in situations of social vulnerability and provide free training in construction for communities. Tickets for the Carnival ball cost R$ 30 (adults) and R$ 20 (children) and can be purchased here. To learn more about the NGO’s projects, follow the profile @reformamar_on Instagram.

Manaus – AM

Carnaval na Floresta takes place throughout February in Manaus and other cities in the interior of Amazonas and includes everything from samba school parades to the Carnaval do Povão, which decentralizes the party, to Carnaboi, with performances by over 30 artists from the Caprichoso and Garantido boi-bumbá groups and 51 street blocks scattered throughout the city. To prevent human rights violations and raise awareness among the population on the issue, there will be the campaign “Carnaval na Floresta – Livre de Assédio e Preconceito” (‘Carnival in the Forest – Free from Harassment and Prejudice’) during the festivities. To find out the dates and locations of each party, visit the event’s website!

São Paulo – SP

The Siga Bem Caminhoneira block brings together lesbian and bisexual women, transgender people and non-binary individuals and takes place in São Paulo on February 17th. The gathering starts at 12 p.m. The route begins at Praça Marechal Deodoro and goes to Praça Alfredo Paulino. More information on the profile @sigabemcaminhoneira.