São Paulo – With the theme “One Thousand and One Nights of a Mocidade Beyond Marrakech” (a double entendre that can also mean one’s a little confused and crazy) , Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel, a samba school from West Side Rio de Janeiro that competes in the city’s main Carnival league, plans to take to Marquês de Sapucaí next year a little bit of Morocco’s history and culture. In a time of commissioned themes, in which sponsors pay for the chosen theme, Mocidade guaranteed that the theme was composed by an independent author – but, regardless, the school is searching for partners in the African country to help in the development of the sections, floats and costumes.
The school planned to take an African theme to the Sambadrome, but in a different way than what is usually seen in Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival. “Morocco also presents the vision of the Arab world, another interesting element,” says Rodrigo Pacheco, vice president of Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel. Elements such as history, culture and natural resources will be covered in the parade, which will try to mix the daily lives of both Moroccan people and the community of Padre Miguel.
Research on the theme was intensive. In May, researchers from the samba school travelled to Morocco and brought back with them some clothing, artworks and other items used by the locals. They costumes to be worn in the parade will be based on them – Mocidade will be the third school to enter the Sambadrome on Monday, February 27. “Our local clothing supplier is using the prints and drawings as a reference for our costumes,” explains Pacheco.
Last month, it was Pacheco’s turn to visit the country. Casablanca, Marrakech and Rabat were some of the destinations visited by the vice-president, who also took some time there to talk to potential sponsors. For now, there is no deal yet. “Some Arab culture companies got in touch, but there’s nothing concrete yet,” he said.
The school talked with Morocco’s Ministry of Tourism and other government agencies, however there’s no deal yet. Mocidade will also invite important personalities from the African country to take part in the parade. “We are still selecting the names,” said the vice president.
Samba in Marrakech
The combination of Morocco and samba is not exactly a new story. In the mid-1980s, the late Carnival director Joãosinho Trinta used to organize, every year, the New Year’s Eve parties of the late king Hassan II, with lots of samba and themes from the Brazilian Carnival.
According to Pacheco, the current king, Mohammed VI – Hassan II’s oldest son – is planning to bring back the culture that was so admired by his father. “After the carnival we will welcome here in our school some young Moroccans, who will learn to play the instruments and dance samba. The current king wants to bring back these parties, which were a type of Carnival of Marrakech,” says Mocidade’s vice president.
*Translated by Sérgio Kakitani
