Imperatriz Leopoldinense is the champion of Rio’s carnival, 22 years after its last title. The green, white and gold school of Ramos paraded on the Monday night with “O aperreio do cabra que o excomungado tratou com má-querença e o santíssimo não deu guarida”, of carnavalesco Leandro Vieira.
Imperatriz Leopoldinense travelled to the northeast to tell the story of the arrival in both heaven and hell of the bandit leader and folk hero, Lampião. It is the school’s ninth title and the carnavlesco’s third title having previously won with Mangueira in 2016 and 2019, in addition to having won the Série Ouro twice, with Imperatriz itself in 2020 and with Império Serrano in 2022. But it is Império Serrano that is relegated straight back to Série Ouro.
Joining Imperatriz for the winners’ parade will be Viradouro, Vila Isabel, Beija-Flor, Mangueira and Grande Rio.
The results of Rio’s Carnival Parade in 2023 were:
- Imperatriz Leopoldinense (269.8 out of 270)
- Viradouro (269.7)
- Vila Isabel (269.3)
- Beija-Flor (269.2)
- Mangueira (269.1)
- Grande Rio (268.6)
- Salgueiro (268.5)
- Paraíso do Tuiuti (268.3)
- Unidos da Tijuca (268.2)
- Portela (267.7)
- Mocidade (266.6)
- Imperio Serrano (265.6)
Rio the Guide 