the media gives these schools and their contests detailed, live coverage - in fact, the schools in this group are the ones that are televised worldwide, and familiar to many.

the muses, the queens, and the colorful images that made their way across the globe and symbolize carnival in rio are mostly from the two nights of parading of the grupo especial - some of the legendary competitors in this group include beija-flor, unidos da tijuca, and imperatriz leopoldinense .

on this link, and on this additional page, we published our pictures of the sambódromo parades, giving an up-close look to the costumes, the smiles, and the energy of some of the thousands of participants in this amazing show.