Bloco das Coleguinhas

Bloco das Coleguinhas: Carnival Joy in the Periphery of São Paulo

The Bloco das Coleguinhas (roughly translated as "The Girlfriends' Block") is a cultural manifestation that emerged in 2016 in Jardim das Flores, in the M'Boi Mirim region, in the southern zone of São Paulo. Founded by Ivanete Costa, known as Colega (Girlfriend), the bloco celebrates popular culture and promotes social inclusion through revelry.

Musical Identity and Repertoire

The Bloco das Coleguinhas is not limited to a single musical style. Its repertoire is eclectic, incorporating everything from traditional marchinhas (carnival marches) to contemporary popular songs adapted for the bloco format.

Special Characteristics

The bloco stands out for:

• Commitment to social inclusion
• Appreciation of the peripheries
• Participation in the official calendar of the São Paulo Street Carnival

Parades

The Bloco das Coleguinhas parades annually in the pre-Carnival period and during the official Carnival. Its typical route includes streets in Jardim das Flores. In 2023, for example, the bloco paraded on February 19th, with a gathering at 1:00 PM at Rua Bento Leite da Silva, 31, in Jardim Santa Edwiges.

Cultural Impact

The Bloco das Coleguinhas is part of a movement to decentralize the São Paulo carnival, taking the party beyond the central regions and contributing to the cultural appreciation of the peripheries. Its expected audience is around 1,000 people per parade, demonstrating its relevance to the local community.

Conclusion

The Bloco das Coleguinhas is a vibrant cultural manifestation that unites the M'Boi Mirim community around joy and celebration. With its eclectic musical identity and its commitment to inclusion, the bloco contributes to the diversity and richness of Brazilian carnival culture.