CENTO CARNEVALE D’EUROPA E RIO DE JANEIRO: IL GEMELLAGGIO
The Cento Carnevale d’Europa is the one and only carnival in Italy to be twinned with the most famous and most colorful Brazilian carnival 
in Rio de Janeiro.
Born from a dream in the drawer and an illuminating idea of the Patron Ivano Manservisi, the twinning with Rio de Janeiro has been certified and signed in the winter of 1993, In the Council Chamber of the Municipality of Cento. The room was full of curious people, who witnessed an historical day.
The Ministry of Labour Nino Cristofori with Silvio Canelli, Josè Botafogo, Mariangeles I. Maya, Doc. Mendes and Mario Pinca.
The city of Cento welcomed the Brazilian delegation: the Console Doc. Josè Botafogo, General Secretary of the Brazilian Embassy in Rome, doc. Mendes, Mrs Mariangeles I.Maya, wife of the Prefeito, mayor of Rio and official representative of the metropolis abroad, Ivo Meirelles, vicepresident of “La Mangueira”, Samba school with 2 millions of associates. To make everything even more magical, 100 brazilian figurantes took the stage: niños portabandera, the mulates, the bajane and a big group of musicians carioca.
To do the honours, the guests have been welcomed by the Minister of Labour Nino Cristofori, VicePresident of Region Emilia Romagna Carlo Perdomi, together with the most important authorities and the most distinguished provincial nd regional entrepeneurs. it has been an emotionally charged moment, full of samba, colours and joy, a well-deserved success!
1994: THE CARNIVAL OF CENTO LANDS IN RIO DE JANEIRO
Since 1994, the carnival association that won the Cento Carnevale d’Europa has participated with its float in the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro, during the Magical Night of Champions. On 19 February of the same year, the Toponi association’s float was dismantled piece by piece, shipped by sea and paraded in Rio’s Sambodromo, supported by 500 jubilant Italians.
Thus, since 1994, every year an Italian delegation has been absorbed by this unforgettable carioca adventure and represents Italy in the fantastic Sambodromo, acclaimed by the love of the Brazilian crowd, 400,000 spectators and followed live on the international TV channels ‘Rete Globo’ and ‘Rete Manchete’ by over 90 million people. Several VIPs, invited by Patron Manservisi, personally supported the ‘Italian team’ during the Brazilian trip, such as: Enzo Arbore, Miriana Trevisan, Susy Blady and Patrizio Roversi, and in 2001 the exceptional testimonial Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy. The spectacular aspect of this unique event has almost taken on greater importance than the singing and dancing, which are the ‘signature’ of the Brazilian event. While maintaining its liberating, satirical and goliardic soul, the evolution of Carnival from a popular festival to a media spectacle has also created a transformation of the public, attracted to this type of event. People from different positions and social situations wish to actively participate in this spectacle, they wish to experience the emotions created by this type of celebration. Participation in Carnival is only allowed for samba schools, which is why the opportunity given to Cento Carnevale d’Europa to participate in the ‘Desfiles des Campeas’ parade in the prestigious Sambodromo in Rio de Janeiro is a fantastic achievement.
IN CENTO A GROUP OF BRAZILIAN DANCERS DIRECTLY FROM THE CARIOCA CARNIVAL
To seal this historic and important twinning with Rio de Janeiro, every Carnival Sunday a large group of dancers and percussionists from one of Rio’s most important samba schools, Bejia Flor, perform on the main stage in Cento. Wonderful Brazilian dancers and powerful percussionists take to the stage and give life to a marvellous and colourful show, warming up the cold Italian winter with their samba, enchanting and involving the audience, giving them the chance to breathe air ‘do Brazil’ for 5 Sundays.
