By Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Marcelo Crivella, announced on Wednesday afternoon, June 26th, that the samba schools parades at the Sambadrome on Marquês de Sapucaí will be privatized. According to him, the municipal and state governments are considering a partnership to enable the project.
The mayor’s announcement was made jointly with Governor Wilson Witzel. The two met for lunch at the Palácio Guanabara, in Laranjeiras, South Zone.
“The city is unable to afford it. I am aware that a company has made a bid to LIESA (Independent League of Samba Schools), and so Carnaval will be privatized; it will be provided by private funds, as we are experiencing a major economic crisis,” said Crivella.
The mayor also stressed that he would not want the festival to lose its popular nature, and Witzel said he wants the Sambadrome to run all year round.
“This year, we are working together. All I want is for the Carnaval to keep going. It is a huge cost for the municipality, which has a huge debt to pay. I feel that the Sambadrome needs to work all year round. All it takes is a contract, an ideal design, to make that happen,” said Witzel.
Currently, in addition to maintenance of the Sambadrome, the city government also pays grants to samba schools. The figure has decreased under Marcelo Crivella’s administration — the mayor has already described the process as “weaning”, which has spawned criticism from the samba schools.
The City Council further assists the parades with city guards and teams from the municipal Health Department, among other resources.