Rio.com / Rio Carnival / Portela

The traditional and innovative Portela

Portela is Rio’s oldest samba group and a premier school with an absolute record of 21 titles including 7 consecutive championships. After going through a rough period in the 1980s, it managed to retain itself in the Special Group mainly because of its glorious past and popularity only to reclaim its original grandeur later on. Portela’s foundation, their innovative spirit and brilliant performances have helped them in winning many Rio Carnival contests. Its Carnival parades are graced by many international celebrities including singer Ricky Martin and super model Nomi Campbell.

History

Portela took its first step in 1920s when samba schools as they are known today did not exist. Paulo Benjamin de Oliveira proposed the formation of a novel and distinct samba band that was to really symbolize the entire neighborhood of Osvaldo. With support from friends, in the year 1923 on April 11th, Portela samba school was born. The school changed many names as its identity evolved in the coming years and in 1935 they finally adopted the name of Portela.

Identity

The colors of Portela samba school are blue and white with a symbol that has remained unchanged since the start of the school – a giant eagle. This eagle shines high in a symbol of honor and pride for those great performers that have lead Portela to victory.

Performance

Legendary Portela Samba School has led the way in many aspects of the carnival. It was the first group that used decorations, introduced the opening wing and was the first to use ropes. Portela is known for choosing beautiful and charismatic Queens and having the strongest Drum sections. These innovations along with a fabulous team of composers helped this samba school win an unbelievable 11 titles, of which 7 were in a row between 1939 and 1953 creating history in the samba musical genre in Brazil.

Play the samba school Portela 2014 theme song

Samba Enredo 2014 (Lyrics)

Autores: Wanderley Monteiro, Luiz Carlos Máximo, Toninho Nascimento e André do Posto 7

Intérprete: Gilsinho

O canto do cais do Valongo ôooooo
Que veio de Angola, Benin e do Congo
Tem semba, capoeira e oração
O Rio sai da roda de jongo e vai desaguar
Na Glória de São Sebastião

Oi bota abaixo, sinhô
Oi bota abaixo, sinhá
Lá vem o Rio
De terno de linho e chapéu panamá

A correnteza
De um Rio Branco é que traz
A arte do canto e a dança,
Todos os sons musicais
O teatro da vida não sai de cartaz
A ilusão é uma atriz
Se exibindo na praça linda e feliz

Eu vou
Da Revolta da Chibata
Ao sonho que faz passeata
Seguindo a canção triunfal

Nesse Rio que vem e que vai
Traço o meu destino
E viro menino pra brincar de carnaval

Sou carioca, meu jeito é de quem
Vem com sorriso do samba que a gente tem
Meu peito é um porto aberto
Pra te receber, meu bem

Vou de mar a mar, mareia
Vou de mar a mar, mareia, mareou
Iluminai o tambor do meu terreiro
Ó santo padroeiro
O axé da Portela chegou