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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JANUARY 29: Erika Schneider, muse of Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel, dances with Castorzinho, the mascot of Mocidade, while samba dancers rehearse at the Marques de Sapucai sambodromo ahead of the Rio de Janeiro carnival parade on January 29, 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A few weeks before the carnival, each one of the Samba Schools (Escolas de Samba) that will take part in the official carnival parade do a technical rehearsal at the sambodromo. These rehearsals occur on weekends, and the entrance is free. On this date, two of the most traditional samba schools of Rio and of Brazil have performed: G.R.E.S. Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel and G.R.E.S. Estação Primeira de Mangueira. Every year, each school prepares a parade with a theme that is related to culture, environment, society or pays tribute to prominent personalities. Very often these themes have connection with brazilian culture and also with african origin religions, such as Candomblé and Umbanda, which have many adepts in Brazil. The Carnival parade is a competition between the Samba Schools (Escolas de Samba), and the winner receives a trophy and a prize in money. In 2023, the parades will happen on February 17th to 20th. (Footage by Christian Ender/Getty Images)