The samba school Acadêmicos de Niterói took to the avenue to celebrate the life of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva with a performance that featured a composition reminiscent of a doctoral thesis. While the samba highlighted Lula's mother, Dona Lindu, and her impactful life, the performance ultimately fell short in terms of recognition, leading to the school's relegation. The lyrics evoke a narrative of hardship and resilience, reflecting on Lindu's struggles as a mother in a challenging environment.

Dona Lindu, described as a 'lioness', faced numerous difficulties throughout her life, including the loss of four children in infancy, and passed away in 1980 when Lula was emerging as a notable figure in union leadership. Her story is not only significant to Lula's biography but is also emblematic of the broader struggles faced by many families in Brazil during that era. The narrative depicted in the samba draws on the themes of sacrifice and the relentless pursuit of dreams, portraying Lindu as a guiding force in Lula's life.

Despite the heartfelt tribute, the performance also highlighted a missed opportunity to acknowledge other family members, particularly Uncle Dorico, suggesting a tendency to overlook important figures in Lula's past. This oversight raises questions about how history is remembered and celebrated, particularly in cultural expressions such as samba, where the collective memory plays a crucial role in shaping national identity. Overall, the event was a poignant reminder of the complexities of familial legacy and the importance of diverse narratives in the telling of personal histories.