Samba, resistance, and magic open São Paulo’s carnival celebrations

São Paulo’s official Carnival celebrations burst into life on Friday night as the city’s top-tier samba schools paraded at the Anhembi Sambadrome, blending cultural pride, feminist themes, and mystical storytelling in a dazzling display of color and rhythm.

First to take the avenue was Mocidade Unida da Mooca, making its top-division debut with a tribute to Instituto Geledés, a Black women-led organization fighting racism.

“Carnival…