Rio city hall denies samba schools will be left without support

RIOTUR, the government's agency for tourism in Rio de Janeiro, announced that the cut in the amount earmarked for the city's top samba schools does not represent the end of the city hall's support of Rio's samba parade—the most famous Carnival attraction in the city. The statement was made today (Jun 16).

The funds aimed at the samba schools in 2018 are to add up to $3.96 million, against this year's $7.31 million.

The measure, announced Monday (12), was taken as a result of the budget constraints and because education and food at nursery schools must be prioritized. Riotur further declared that the city government recognizes the importance of the world's biggest popular party, which makes Rio one of the top tourist destinations in the period, generating employment and income for the population.

After the change was unveiled, LIESA, the Independent League of Samba Schools, wrote on Facebook that no parade will be held by the main samba schools for Carnival next year.

The text adds that the heads of the samba schools and LIESA wait for the hearing to be scheduled in an attempt to address the issue.

RIOTUR also stressed that the funds earmarked for the samba schools is not the only investment from the city hall aimed at Carnival, as yearly maintenance costs linked to the Sambadrome, where the samba schools parade, are considerably high. For lighting alone, the city government is reported to have paid $200 thousand in 2017. “There is no reason for controversy. Rio's carnival is guaranteed. It will contibute to be the planet's biggest spectacle,” the note from RIOTUR reads.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira