STORY: Seven samba schools from Rio de Janeiro's Serie Ouro division opened their carnival parade competition on Friday (February 13) at the Marques de Sapucai Sambadrome, competing for a coveted promotion spot to the elite Special Group.

Uniao do Parque Acari presented "Brasiliana," an homage to the historic 1949 theater group that celebrated Afro-Brazilian culture across more than 50 countries and launched the careers of prominent Black artists.

The school's performance features elaborate allegorical floats, diverse costumes, and a special tribute in the opening dance commission to actor and writer Haroldo Costa, the group's creator who died in December 2025.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (FEBRUARY 13, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all) (NIGHT SHOT)

1. VARIOUS OF ALLEGORICAL FLOATS FROM SAMBA SCHOOL UNIAO DO PARQUE ACARI

2. VARIOUS OF MEMBERS FROM SAMBA SCHOOL UNIAO DO PARQUE ACARI DANCING AND SINGING THEIR SAMBA

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PERFORMER, ERICA CRISTINA, SAYING:

"Our performance is spectacular, it's a ten out of ten."

4. MEMBERS OF SAMBA SCHOOL CELEBRATING

5. VARIOUS OF PERFORMER IN COSTUME

6. MISS CAMPO COYTACAZES, VICTORIA MACHADO TAKING PHOTO WITH FAMILY

7. VARIOUS OF MACHADO SHOWING HER COSTUME

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) MISS CAMPO COYTACAZES, VICTORIA MACHADO, SAYING:

"I see Carnival as a place of cultural diversity, talents and the best party. I'm passionate about Carnival."

9. COSTUMES READY TO BE DELIVERED TO SCHOOL MEMBERS

10. VARIOUS OF SAMBA SCHOOL MEMBER ARRANGING BAIANA COSTUME

11. VARIOUS OF SAMBA SCHOOL MEMBER CUTTING ELASTIC FROM COSTUME

12. VARIOUS OF SAMBA SCHOOL MEMBER DISTRIBUTING COSTUME

13. VARIOUS OF PERFORMER, NEUCIMAR PIRES, ASSEMBLING COSTUME ON THE FLOOR

14. PIRES’ COSTUME ON THE FLOOR

15. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PERFORMER, NEUCIMAR PIRES, SAYING:

"This is my third year at Acari (Uniao do Parque Acari) and I'm loving being in this school; it's always a new emotion. Every year is like this, the excitement renews itself."

16. PERFORMER DANCING SAMBA SHOWING HER COSTUME

17. VARIOUS OF SAMBA SCHOOL MEMBER FINALIZING DETAILS OF ALLEGORICAL FLOAT

18. VARIOUS OF FLOATS OF SAMBA SCHOOL