The Unidos da Tijuca savors its reputation as an innovative and bold Samba School. Historically the school was the first to use cars and costume wings in the evolution of the world's greatest parade. In this first decade of the 21st century, Unidos da Tijuca, Grand Rio and powerhouse Beija-Flor have been expanding the artform of Carnaval with innovations which delight the imagination.

In addition, there are the roots of G.R.E.S Unidos da Tijuca as the third oldest Samba School of the Brazil - only Mociadade and Estacio de Sa [successor toDeixa Falar] are older. The founders of Unidos da Tijuca’s wished to defend traditional Brazilian Folklore and also fight the good fight for important causes. The school emerged when 4 Carnival blocos came together on December 31st. of 1931, at 130 Saint Miguel Street in the mountainous chain of Tijuca north of central Rio.

Unidos da Tijuca

Founded in: 31/12/1931 Colours: Blue and Yellow\Azul e Amarelo Symbol: Indian Blue Peacock .

Much acclaimed Carnavelesco Luiz Carlos Bruno is a long-time member of Tijuca who first joined in 1981. His first leadership position came in 1987 when he became  President of Cobras e Lagartos [Snakes and Lizards] in 1988, a position he continues to hold today. His presence as a major Carnaval figure was first felt by the general public in 2002. Today the 44 year old is both designer and director of the Carnaval for Unidos da Tijuca.

In 2000, the school returned to the special group with a great parade achieving 5th place - its first trip of their many to the Parade of Champions in the 21st century, where the top 6 schools do an encore on the Saturday following Carnaval Tuesday.

Unidos da Tijuca has won considerable acclaim in both the public and the press for innovation that delights and inspires. Much of the credit has been given to the designer of the clever floats or  carros alegóricos (allegorical carts or wagons) which appear more often by far than any other in newspapers all over the world. It is a rare but highly sought talent to be able to evoke amazement and surprise in this intensely competitive art form. Mr. Bruno has brought himself much acclaim and notoriety in the Rio de Janeiro Carnaval culture, yet the top prize continues to allude his Samba School. Still, his genius has guaranteed his school a top place among the elite schools and much respect and recognition for all the many elements that make up a successful presentation in the world of samba.

Going forward, Unidos da Tijuca continues with much determination to restructure and solidify itself for the next appearance on the Avenue da Sapucai.  Nowadays the school is one of the most awaited and closely covered by the press.  However, the applause accorded to the champion of Carnival will have to wait till the future.

Tijuca took 4th place in 2007, and once again generated the largest sensation by re-creating Nick Ut's Pulitzer Prize-winning Vietnam War photograph of 9-year-old Kim Phuc being burned by napalm. A dancer in a bodysuit played Kim, while dancers in bright-orange flame costumes swirled around her.

 Prior to this, Bruno's creativity was subject to review by the Carnaval director Paul Barros, who as the 2008 Carnavalesco for Viradouro created the biggest media sensation since the Catholic Church successfully prevented a condom promotion. [more]

The 6th place in 2008 comes with Luis Carlos Bruno as both the Director of the Carnaval and the Carnavalelesco in charge of creative decisions. For 2008, Bruno designed the Carnaval, including the selection of the theme : our tendency to pursue collections of objects and the historical and cultural importance of the collections and collectors.

The first float in 2008 was the the symbol of the school, the peacock, and it came in style. The gold allegory is 27 meters in length (only 11 of that is the body), eight meters wide and with 86 components that opened its fans in the choreography, creating a large tail. It incorprated, in Bruno's signature style, a body skin made up of synchronized dancing feathers played by members of the Tijuca cast.

Puxador do samba: Wantuir Presidente: Fernando Horta Quadra: Clube dos Portuários - Av. Francisco Bicalho, 47 Santo Cristo, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Sede: Rua São Miguel, 430, Tijuca Rio de Janeiro, RJ - CEP 20530-420 Barracão: Cidade do Samba (Barracão 12) - Rua Rivadávia Correa, nº 60 Gamboa - CEP: 20.220-290 Telefone: (21) 2263-9836/ 2516-2749 URL: www.unidosdatijuca.com.br

Actress and TV host Adriane Galisteu has headed the Tijuca bateria drum corps since 2006. This 2008 costume, designed by Henrique Filho, represents the "forest guardian," a mix of human and animal. 2008 is her 14th year of appearing on the Rua Marquês de Sapucaí, and she says it is about time for tijuca to lift the trophy. Despite living in Sao Paulo, she attends rehearsals often, singing the school's song. She describes her role as being a warrior queen for the Samba school, while attracting the media.

"We will show in Avenida how the people preserve their memories through collections of objects. It is the information being saved for posterity," explains Luiz Carlos Bruno,

As in previous years, he says he wants to preserve an easy reading of the plot by the public.

The second sector of the school will be dedicated to children, with stuffed toys like plush blue bears with big bellies and carts of joy from our childhood.

The baianas of Borel will represent cloth dolls. One of the 7 floats will  represents the  dreams of girls, including a dollhouse. "Let's build a real house of dolls, with more than a hundred people fantasiadas of dolls," said the Carnavelesco.

Tijuca continues to maintain their formula of hard work and dedication for all their members, which has yielded significant success since 2004. All members are encouraged to attend every practice, and missing too many can have consequences. Besides the spectacular and amazing floats, the large contingent of members practice some choreography in the alas and go out with the feeling that the entire stadium should enthusiastically be joining them as they sing and dance their collective story for the next Carnaval.