Passion and gratitude! Imperatriz members praise Rosa Magalhães: “She is the ruler of what it means to be a good carnival artist”

By Matheus Moraes and Ryan DeMera

Emotion took hold of many professionals from Emperatriz Leopoldinense, last Friday, following the Rosa Magalhães Carnival. The artist was five times champion at the Ramos school. To the site CarnivalLeandro Vieira was full of praise for the artist's work.

“The rose, for every person of my generation, is the model of the profession we practice. We say goodbye to the body, but the work is eternal. It lives and will live in every artist who performs in the carnival. It is the ruler of what it means to be a good carnival artist. There were 50 years of work linked to the carnival. What really stuck in my mind were the fashion shows I did at Imperatriz Leopoldinense. I did carnivals that indicated what it means to have a carnival. Talking about artistic ability is a waste of time, but it documents what it means to tell stories during the carnival and Brazilianness. You understand how stories should be told, and how the carnival can be a way to spread dense themes and titles like academics that have carnival characteristics that everyone understands,” Leandro said.

Flagbearer Rafaela Theodoro spoke about her relationship with Rosa Magalhães at Imperatriz Leopoldinense. “She was a reference for everyone. She was a great pioneer, a carnival worker. She fought hard, and for a samba dancer it is very important to have a reference. We will miss her a lot. No one was prepared for this to happen, out of nowhere, it is very painful. I had the experience of working with her. I joined Imperatriz at a very young age and it was a dream to have a fantasy that I designed in the same strange and unique style as Rosa. I was able to experience it and learn from her.

The interpreter, Betty de Menezes, stated that the entire Carnival world is grateful for Rosa Magalhães' work and dedication. The singer spoke about the championships he won at school. “It is a very sad moment for all of us samba singers. We know the enormous importance of the rose for the Emperatriz and the Carnival. She won many championships for the Empress. Heaven celebrates the reception of the rose. Let us continue to immortalize her legacy with all the historical intrigues. Rosa gave the Empress her face. Every year we spend on the Avenida, there is always a little Rosa and this will continue for many years,” said the singer.

André Bonatti and Pedro Leite, from the management of the Carnival of Emperatriz, praised Rosa Magalhães' legacy to the school and her professional quality.

“The story of the Empress and Rosa is very close and vital. Its importance for the Carnival is indisputable. It participated in the Salgueirense Revolution, gave the title of Empire Serrano and it was in Imperatriz where it reached artistic maturity. The Empress has a face like Rose and Rose has a face like the Empress. The way a griselin player dresses and acts is Rosa Magalhães’s. I lost a friend, we talked for hours, but she will not go away, the body may go away, but the legacy lives on. “The rose is eternal,” said Bonat.

“Rosa is a combination of anthropophagy with an example of professionalism and dedication. She made sure to accomplish what was complicated and not give up because of the difficulty. She gave the Empress the face that we always wanted to have: triumphant, proud, important, determined and Brazilian. She is an example for all samba singers and forever,” added Pedro Leite.