Blocos de carnaval da cidade do Rio de Janeiro: o que são, o que dizem que são, o que podem ser e o que não são mais, pois já foram

Abstract

The study aims to elucidate and explore the diverse meanings inherent in a collection of heterogeneous festive games that emerge from the (in)definition of the term "carnival street parades". It scrutinizes the contrasting discourses found in various narratives attempting to comprehend these manifestations within the context of Rio de Janeiro’s carnival. Our examination encompasses a historical survey of the festivities, spanning from the inception of the earliest festive groups adopting the label "street parade" up to the present day. The key analytical threads include the narrative construction of the city’s carnival history, discourses surrounding the party's cycles of decline and resurgence over the centuries, the impact of officialization proposals on carnival blocks (both in 1932 and 2009), and the factors leading to the establishment of specific designations for certain types of these groups. Our research is guided by the hypothesis that this collection of festive games, on the whole, represents what has "endured" from past attempts to precisely define carnival, owing to its remarkable capacity to engage in dialogues with the broader carnival experience. We assert that, rather than prioritizing the establishment of a rigid definition for "what is a street parade," it is more crucial to comprehend the diverse manifestations that self-identify as such over the years. Additionally, understanding the fluid nature of this carnival category and its ability to transform and take on new meanings in response to different interests is deemed more significant than a fixed definition. In conclusion, our findings emphasize the importance of acknowledging the dynamic character of these festive games and their capacity to evolve and adapt over time in alignment with various cultural and social influences