considered the favela-chic of rio, vidigal is situated in rio de janeiro's zona sul, sandwiched between the neighborhoods of são conrado and leblon. in recent times the area has witnessed a steady transformation and the resident cariocas have been working hard to dispel the 'favela' stereotype of drugs, danger, and crime. there is no doubt that the city's favelas are a place of hardship and poverty, but they are also a cradle of inspiration and true carioca culture. favelas are the birth-place of many of the samba schools parading during carnaval, as well as of samba and of funk carioca.
