Intellectuality and celebration

carnival as a field for intellectual and artistic reflection

Abstract

The article analyzes the role of carnival, especially the samba school parades, as a space for intellectual and artistic reflection. It argues that the carnivalesque not only organizes a spectacle, but also constructs narratives that promote social, political and cultural critique. Accordingly, the research focuses on the work of Leandro Vieira and his approach to carnival as a tool for debate and social representation. The study shows that carnival should not be understood solely as a festivity, but as a space for symbolic and intellectual construction. Cultural hegemony, as discussed by Gramsci (2004) and Moraes (2016), shapes the reception and interpretation of the parades. The work of intellectual-carnivalesques, such as Leandro Vieira, challenges cultural alienation, turning the parade into a vehicle for political and social debates. The study therefore concludes that the carnivalesque plays a fundamental intellectual role in popular culture, reinterpreting history and promoting new discourses on identity and collective memory. Thus, recognizing carnival as an artistic and political manifestation reinforces its relevance within the Brazilian cultural landscape.