During the recent samba parade on Sunday, March 16, the Portela school faced significant technical difficulties with its last float, representing the Velha Guarda. The float's delayed entry into the parade caused a halt, leading to considerable anxiety among the school's members who were watching the event's transmission on their mobile devices. Although this created a tense atmosphere, where the drum section rushed to complete their performance around the stalled float, Portela ultimately finished their procession within the allotted time of 79 minutes.

This year's parade by Portela paid tribute to Prince Custódio, a notable African leader known for promoting Afro-Brazilian religions in the southern region of Brazil. The homage to such an important cultural figure highlights the ongoing relevance of Afro-descendant communities and their contributions to Brazilian society. The tribute, while adding cultural depth to the parade, also underscores the complexities and challenges faced by traditional samba schools in maintaining their performance standards while also honoring historical legacies.

While technical issues are not uncommon in large-scale events like this, they can significantly impact the perception of a performance. Portela’s ability to navigate the situation and complete their parade on time will likely be viewed positively in the context of live performances, reflecting resilience under pressure. However, the incident may lead to future discussions on better coordination and planning to avoid similar disruptions during such prominent cultural celebrations in Brazil.