Viradouro Holocaust Controversy Update

This was posted on Viradouro's website as their response to the ban on the Holocaust float (my not so-perfect translation):

"Viradouro incites sadness and reveals the horror of intolerance. Shutting off freedom of expression is the most fertile territory for the fertilization of violence, disrespect, brutality, and extermination. Not even the executioners, nor the victims of the tragic history of humanity have the right to hide the facts or to dull our memory.

The prohibition of artistic expression is the first step in the direction of burning books, censuring movies, destroying allegory. Behind the arbitrary hides mediocrity, the impossibility for the strength of ideas to succeed, and what is left decimates them. The execution of liberty is the fifth rule of the School and going down the lane in the Sambodrome is to remind everyone that extermination can be the consequence of prejudice, intolerance, and disrespect for diversity.

Initially conceived to represent the largest genocides in human history, the Holocaust, the float was forbidden to be in the parade by judge’s orders by the Israeli Federation of Rio on January 31, 2008.

Some reactions from national and international organizations make clear the misunderstanding [of the judge] that the samba schools’ parade is[actually] a powerful instrument in the spread of ideas, of sensitivity of our hearts and minds of all the planet.

Carnaval was said to be an “inappropriate space in its festive environment,” “a parade with music, women, and men half-naked dancing happily while reminding everyone of the victims of the Holocaust,” “an abominable spectacle for the survivors and their families.” It’s clear that there was an understanding by the samba schools that Viradouro would warn against the genocide of thousands of human beings.

The representation of the Holocaust through sculpture exhibited in a museum would be acceptable. But in the Sambodrome, it has become inappropriate. Other forms of art depict the Holocaust, like in the movies, the theater, and in fine arts. Are movie theaters and museums the most appropriate places for everyone to reflect on the barbarities of men? Let’s consider how the sensitive theme of the Marques de Sapucai being mocked would be allowed in the parade is discrediting one of the most important Brazilian cultural event. (?)

For many years, the Sambodrome has been the stage to fight for freedom, to show the oppression against blacks and Indians, the resistance of the Northeastern migrants against misery, the saga of the heroes that were martyred in the battles for democracy. The Holocaust not only affected the Jews, but also touched the lives of Communists, homosexuals, gypsies, the mentally and physically disabled, intellectuals against Hitler’s regime, men, women and children that died brutally, victims of Nazism.

The death of freedom and the birth of intolerance against cultural, ideological and religious diversity brought about the deaths of blacks, Indians, alchemists, and visionaries. The fifth rule of Viradouro, will take place in Sapucai representing a protest against all types of the extermination of life and liberty. The real story of man isn’t told with just poetry and pleasure. The scars of the soul are the best way to protect against new wounds."

There are parts of this I didn't quite understand, about the Sapucai stuff, but let's note the places I put in bold. First of all, after describing the Holocaust as one of the largest genocides in history, they used the word "milhares" to refer to the victims of the Holocaust. Milhares means "thousands," while it is known that the Holocaust took over 6 million Jewish lives. Sign number one that these guys don't have all the facts. Next, they question why Carnaval isn't an appropriate place to remind the world about the Holocaust, while other cultural mediums are appropriate. My response is that Carnaval is a time for happiness and celebration and fun mockery, and the Holocaust simply doesn't fall into any of those categories. Finally, they talk about how Carnavals of the past have given Cariocas the opportunity to represent different groups' fight for freedom and representation and respect. The major difference is that these groups embraced their differences in their culture and way of life and celebrated these differences, as opposed to portraying in a visual and grotesque way, the horrors they had faced.

Below are some of the costumes for this year's Carnaval, which include other "scary" things and also a costume representing censorship, based on the censorship of the bleeding Jesus I discussed yesterday. It seems to me the great minds at Viradouro should have stuck to the horror movie theme. But like I said, these guys just don't have a clue.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Roberta B]

hello dear

I m a brazilian and I do felt embaressed when I heard that Viradolro was going to do such a awfull thing . I agree with u when u said "these guys just dont have a clue" and I do believe it is a scholl system falt. I had the opportunited to study in the US for a year and the way u are tought History is much different than ours . I mean with all the midia , videos and technology u really show ( at least to me) a variety of chapters in history in a much more interresting and seriuos way . I cried when I saw on TV the car of Viradolro .It was probabily the most desrespectful thing that could be done . Grotesque. Nothing what Carnival means and i dont know wth was going on that people´s mind. I m really sorry for all the sadness that for sure it already caused in many people and ashamed because Brazil didnt need one more case to downgrade this wonderful party .

[Emma Klein]

From far away, from germany, in bad english some words.

I think, that Carnaval is really not the right place to discuss genoicide. So its good, that the float was not seen.

But it seems to be too simple, to write "these guys just don't have a clue". The group write about the "Communists, homosexuals, gypsies, the mentally and physically disabled, intellectuals against Hitler’s regime, men, women and children that died brutally, victims of Nazism". So they have thougts about the german fascism, they know things. Maybe more things as the "normal" German, American or Brasilian, who always discuss the jewish victims, but forget the first victims of the german fascists: The communist, the social-democrats and the other left activists.

But all in all this cant be an excuse for the float.

Greetz, Emma