Unidos da Tijuca Samba School

Unidos da Tijuca

The 2010 champions, Unidos da Tijuca stands out from its counterparts in that it is known for its tolerance and acceptance of all who wish to join the school regardless of religion or cultural background.  They are considered one of the most elite schools along with Beija-Flor, Salgueiro, Mocidade, Portela and Mangueira thanks to their strong financial backing and leadership.

The proud winner of the 2011 parade has high expectations for the coming year, Unidos da Tijuca is known to be a very unique and innovative school the last two years mysterious themes, great visual illusions that has everyone talking about it.  Very different from the previous years, Unidos da Tijuca will be paying homage to the great pillar of popular Brazilian music, Luiz Gonzaga. Luiz was born in Pernambuco, died in 1989 and 2012 his centenary will be celebrated with a beautiful parade by the infamous Unidos da Tijuca.

The History of Unidos da Tijuca

With the joining of 4 carnival groups in the Casa Branca slum, Formiga slum and Velhacos Island the Unidos da Tijuca was formed on December 31st 1931.  By 1936 they won their first tittle. Upheaval characterized the 1940s and 1950s with splinter groups breaking off from Unidos da Tijuca to form their own Samba schools.  During the 1970s Unidos da Tijuca underwent a reorganization attracting new talented people to the fold.  Thanks to new direction under Paulo Cesar Cardoso the school was promoted to First Group in 1980.  More troubles arose and the school was sent back to the Access Group in 1985 and again in 1987.  In 2004 they hired producer Paulo Barros and this led to an overwhelming wave of popularity and a new found confidence amongst the school’s members.   In the past 2 years Unidos da Tijuca has managed to earn second place twice and to hit the 2010 championship with the Plot “It’s a secret”. Unidos da Tijuca 2010 parade will be remembered forever for its commission front performance where a tricky magician led beautiful ladies to change 6 or 7 sets of clothes while parading. Again, created by Paulo Barros, the 2010 parade also included a wonderful float with superheroes like Batman and Spiderman that did a great deal with the public.

Unidos da Tijuca Today

This school is now known for its innovation.  It was the first to add dancers set in floats, called “human sculptures”.  In addition they are one of the few Samba schools that takes their technical rehearsal to the street where they practice in front of an old shed on Venezuela Avenue. The rehearsals on Saturday nights close to the Rio de Janeiro main bus station are sure to attract a huge gay community.

Unidos da Tijuca Colors and Symbols

This Unidos da Tijuca school chose blue and gold as their colors and the peacock as their symbol as suggested by Bento Vasconcelos one of the founders.   The royal colors of blue and gold add a visual explosion to their costumes and the royal peacock brings an air of flamboyance and lushness to the parade.