As we countdown to carnival in Rio the main samba schools, that make up the Grupo Especial, will parade on the nights of Sunday, 11 February and Monday, 12 February.

13 schools will parade in 2018, that is one more than normal after no school was relegated in 2017 and Império Serrano were promoted. It is expected that two schools will be relegated this year.

Following the draw by the League of Samba School (LIESA), seven schools will parade on Sunday, 11 February and six on Monday, 12 February. The order (and approximate start time) is:

Sunday, 11 February

• Império Serrano (21.15)
• São Clemente (22.00-22.30)
• Vila Isabel (23.25-23.45)
• Paraíso do Tuiuti (00.30-01.00)
• Grande Rio (01.35-02.15)
• Mangueira (02.40-03.30)
• Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel (03.45-04.45)

Monday, 12 February

• Unidos da Tijuca (21.15)
• Portela (22.00-22.30)
• União da Ilha (23.25-23.45)
• Salgueiro (00.30-01.00)
• Imperatriz Leopoldinense (01.35-02.15)
• Beija-Flor (02.40-03.30)

The titles and rough theme of each samba school for 2018 – and many are likely to be political in content – are:

Sunday, 11 February

• Império Serrano – O Império na Rota da China (A look at the silk route and the influences of China in Brazil)
• São Clemente – Academicamente Popular (A celebration of the centenary of Rio’s Escola de Belas Artes – School of Fine Arts)
• Vila Isabel – Corra, que o futuro vem aí!(Man’s discoveries and inventions and their impact on the environment and how we live)
• Paraíso do Tuiuti – Meu Deus, meu Deus, está extinta a escravidão? (The story of slavery in Brazil)
• Grande Rio – Vai para o trono ou não vai? (A celebration of the centenary of the birth of one of Brazil’s most popular entertainers and communicators, Chacrinha)
• Mangueira – Com dinheiro ou sem dinheiro, eu brinco (A comment on the importance of carnival to the people and city even in an economic crisis)
• Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel – Namastê… A Estrela que habita em mim saúda a que existe em você (A look at the impact and influences of India on Brazil)

Monday, 12 February

• Unidos da Tijuca – Um coração urbano, Miguel, o arcanjo das artes, saúda o povo e pede passagem! (The school honours the popular actor, director and writer Miguel Falabella)
• Portela – De repente de lá pra cá e dirrepente de cá pra lá (Looks at immigrants across the ages and their search for peace and liberty)
• União da Ilha – Brasil bom de boca (A look at Brazil’s culinary delights)
• Salgueiro – Senhoras do Ventre do Mundo (The importance and power of black women)
• Imperatriz Leopoldinense – Uma noite real no Museu Nacional (The theme is the 200 year history of the National Museum, once home to the Emperors)
• Beija-Flor – Monstro é aquele que não sabe amar. Os filhos abandonados da pátria que os pariu (Using the 200^th anniversary of the publication of “Frankenstein” as the hook, the school looks at intolerance to those who are different)