In memory of Enéas Alves Freire (1921-2008).
Updated on Nov.12, 2012
The World's Largest Carnival Bloco
Carlos Oliveira/Prefeitura do Recife
Galo da Madrugada, or the Rooster of Dawn, is considered the world's largest street Carnival parade. Nearly two million people parade with this Recife bloco, which leaves every Carnival Saturday morning from Forte das Cinco Pontas, a historic Recife landmark.
Trios elétricos, or bands playing atop sound-wired trucks, keep the crowd dancing to frevo. A towering rooster statue slowly makes its way amidst the throngs on the streets of Old Recife.
Participation is free and costumes are not mandatory. In a Carnival 2008 interview to Agência Brasil, Enéas Freire, Galo da Madrugada founder, gave this piece of advice about safety in the bloco: "I recommend to revelers that they come in peace and leave home their more valuable belongings."
Galo da Madrugada History
Photo courtesy of Antônio Cruz/ABr
Galo da Madrugada founder Enéas Freire loved Recife's street Carnival and as a child he never missed troças and other traditional celebrations. In 1978, he started Galo da Madrugada on a whim, in the company of some friends. People tagged along and the bloco was formed.
Enéas, who died in 2008 at the age of 87, was a Recife legend. The bloco paraded in front of the Clube de Máscaras Galo da Madrugada to honor him, as he waved and greeted the crowd from his office.
In late 2008, the Galo da Madrugada headquarters - Freire's last project - opened in Recife. Called Palácio Enéas Freire, it's a cultural center where people can also buy Galo da Madrugada products. On the first floor, the Varanda do Galo restaurant (open Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) serves home style Northeastern culinary, including bolo de rolo - Recife's famous, extra-fine-layered roll-up cake.
In 2009, Galo da Madrugada was named Intangible Cultural Heritage of Pernambuco.
Galo da Madrugada Parade 2013
When: Saturday, Feb.9, 2013 (starting time and spot to be confirmed)
In 2013, Galo da Madrugada will celebrate the nearly 1,865-mile-long São Francisco River, fondly known as "Velho Chico" ("Old Chico"), which flows through Minas Gerais, Bahia, Pernambuco, Alagoas and Sergipe and is crucial to the development of the riverside communities of the Pernambuco backlands. The parade theme is "Old Chico flows into the sea of frevo".
Among the 15 songwriters running in the contest to choose the 2013 theme song are Quinteto Violado and Maestro Forró. The great finals will be on Jan.10, 2013 at the Galo headquarters.
The association also has a kids' prévia, or pre-Carnival party, kwnon as Pinto da Madrugada, or the Chick of Dawn.
2013 Galo Parade Route:
As of this November 2012 update, the route for the Galo parade in Carnival 2013 has not been posted on their website yet. In 2012, this was the route followed:
Travessa do ForteForte das Cinco Pontas
Rua Imperial (towards Praça Sérgio Loreto)
Avenida Dantas Barreto (corner of Praça Sérgio Loreto)
Praça Sérgio Loreto (towards Av. Sul)
Avenida Sul (towards Afogados)
Rua Saturnino de Brito (turning right to return on Rua Imperial)
Rua Imperial (towards Praça Sérgio Loreto)
Praça Sérgio Loreto (towards the Galo headquarters)
Rua do Muniz (towards Av. Dantas Barreto)
Avenida Dantas Barreto (towards Praça da Independência)
Praça da Independência
Avenida Guararapes (towards Ponte Duarte Coelho)
Rua do Sol (towards Praça da República)
The parade dispersed at Rua do Sol, Praça da República, Rua do Imperador and Cais José Estelita.
Galo da Madrugada Suites 2013
Joining the absurdly large crowd that parades the streets of Old Recife with Galo da Madrugadalo is not the only way to enjoy the bloco. For a safer, more preserved, but still fun experience, you can buy a place in a camarote (suite or mezzanine box) along the parade route.
Tickets to Galo da Madrugada's official 2013 camarotes are already open. The suites with a capacity of 20 people each will be built at Sérgio Loretto Square.
As of this update, the suites are priced and sold only for the whole 20-person package, and not individually. A 1st-floor suite (which is 8.2 feet above the ground) costs R$5500 and a 2nd-floor suite (16.4 feet above the ground) R$7000 until Nov.30, 2012. After Dec.1, those prices will be R$6000 and R$8000 respectively.
For more information, call 55-81-3220-0224/ 3224-9615/ 3224-2899 or email contato@ogalodamadrugada.com.br.
Quinta no Galo 2013 - Thursday at Galo
Quinta no Galo is a weekly musical and cultural get-together at the Galo headquarters featuring the best of Pernambuco Carnival traditions.
Among the rhythms and dances you'll enjoy at Quinta no Galo are caboclinho, a dance with indigenous origins; maracatu, frevo and newer styles such as Recife-born mangue beat.
Quinta no Galo 2013 Schedule:
Every Thursday from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20.
Where: Galo da Madrugada - Rua da Concórida 984 – São José – Recife – PE, phone: 55-81-3224-2899
Other Galo da Madrugada Events
Galo da Madrugada Address & Contact Information
Rua da Concórdia 984São José
Recife- PE
Phones: 55-81-3224-2899/ 3224-9615
