this back-stage importance is such that there are several magazines in rio de janeiro dedicated specifically to samba, and the world of carnaval in the city.

all schools in grupo especial are the cream of the crop, and it is their extravagant presentations that have been credited with putting the rio carnaval at the forefront of the national and world stages.

all of the stereotypical images of bombastic floats and outlandishly dressed dancers owe their existence to this group - as such, the grupo especial schools compete on the last two days of carnaval at the climax of festivities, and the admission price to the sambódromo on these days is higher.