being among the very first of the samba schools still partaking in the carnival celebrations, the g. r. e. s. unidos do viradouro (united of viradouro) is also one with a very rich and successful history.

it held an incredible hegemony in the carnival of niterói, before the board decided to attempt its luck in the main festivities in rio de janeiro.

something usually overlooked internationally is the fact that the carnival parades are not limited to the center of rio de janeiro and são paulo - across brazil there are several other parades that, although not as well-known or grand as those of the two main centers, are also very full of sound and color.