Lucinha Araújo turns 90 as Bloco Exagerado’s 2026 theme: Feb 14 at Praça Tiradentes, “Minha Flor, Meu Bebê,” Jorge Rios and the Folia Verde seal.
Bloco Exagerado, which has brought Cazuza’s hits to the streets since 2015, enters Carnival 2026 in celebration mode. This year’s honoree is Lucinha Araújo, marking her 90th birthday. The chosen theme, “Minha flor, meu bebê,” also becomes a new addition to the setlist, shaping the parade’s emotional tone.
The parade is now on Saturday
The change is straightforward and shifts the weekend flow for revelers: from now on, Exagerado will parade on Carnival Saturday. In 2026, the gathering is set for February 14, with an 8 a.m. meetup at Praça Tiradentes, in downtown Rio de Janeiro.
The theme also carries personal memory. According to founder and producer Rafael Braga, Lucinha says “Minha flor, meu bebê” was her nickname for Cazuza as a child—now turned into the heart of this year’s edition.
New shirt art and a special guest voice
The tribute takes shape in the 2026 official shirt, featuring an exclusive print created by Arte de Lüc, a project by Paraná-based artist Lucas Misunaga, based on an idea from Rafael Braga. The design highlights the bond between mother and son that echoes through Cazuza’s legacy and into the street party.
There’s also a major on-stage addition: Jorge Rios, nationally known for the Brazuza project—one of Brazil’s leading Cazuza tributes—has been confirmed and will share vocals with Helton Alves, the bloco’s official singer since day one. Braga says the collaboration grew from social media conversations and finally comes together this Carnival, after earlier attempts were hampered by schedules and distance, since Rios is based in Belo Horizonte.
“Lucinha joined us at our first street rehearsal in 2016. Since then, she’s funded Carnival, brought the bloco to the opening of the Cazuza Cultural Center, invited us to take part in her book and exhibition… She’s always been willing to help.”
For the third year in a row, the bloco also counts on support from CRAB – the Brazilian Handicraft Reference Center, located nearby in central Rio.
Accessibility and the Folia Verde seal
Beyond the music, Exagerado is doubling down on its infrastructure. This is the third year the bloco provides accessibility measures, including a Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) professional and a dedicated area within production space for people with reduced mobility and wheelchair users.
In 2026, Bloco Exagerado will receive the Folia Verde seal from Rio’s Municipal Secretariat for Environment and Climate (SMAC). The certification recognizes blocos that adopt sustainable practices, supporting reduced greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and environmental awareness throughout every stage of Carnival.
A decade on the streets
With more than 10 years of street parades, Exagerado reports over 1 million revelers across its history and has become one of the projects keeping Cazuza’s work alive during Rio’s Carnival. Braga notes that the songs’ enduring power fuels the success, while acknowledging the tougher behind-the-scenes reality: costs, bureaucracy, and rising requirements to take a bloco to the street.
Still, the goal remains the same: turn memory into a massive singalong in downtown Rio—this time with Lucinha at the center of the tribute and the expectation that she may attend the parade.
Service
BLOCO EXAGERADO – Parade “Minha Flor, Meu Bebê”
When: February 14 – Saturday
Time: Meetup at 8 a.m.
Where: Praça Tiradentes – Downtown
Photo: Divulgação
