and the winner is .... Mangueira

One of the traditional samba schools in Rio de Janeiro: Mangueira, won for the 20th time the famous carnaval parade.

In the Rio Sambadrome competition parade Mangueira won with a show that paid tribute to Rio councilwoman Marielle Franco, who was assassinated almost a year ago.

In a year that many parades celebrated black culture, Mangueira presented a samba song that talked about the unsung Brazilian heroes, many of them indigenous, black or females, such as Franco.

Her widow Mônica Benício paraded along the last section, honoring favela dwellers that rose above their circumstances. (Folha SP)