Rio Carnival 2020: Top Samba Schools get Political amid funding cuts. 

Rio's 13 top Samba schools kicked off their annual competition to win the title of Carnival Champion with the usual array of shimmering floats, costumes and the full-on frenzy of the world's best Samba dancing.

All of this as public funding for the elite group was cut completely on the grounds that the city would not subsidize any event that charges for tickets, but not everyone was buying that explanation.

"It has been very difficult for us to stage this Carnival. There is a religious problem, because our mayor is evangelical and doesn't like carnival. But with our efforts we have been able to put on a beautiful parade," said Jardel Harmonia, one of the directors of Viradouro Samba school. 

The cuts have added a sense of urgency to a traditional parade platform. That is because underneath all the glitter and the color, the Rio Samba School parade has always been political, and this year is no exception. 

Schools are focusing on themes such as the environment, racism, misogyny, diversity and the arts. They're also sending strong messages to Brazil's right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro.

"The Samba schools are making a Carnival accordingly to the times we are living. A moment where intolerance is prevailing and we are using this moment to show that we need to have a different vision of the world," said Moacyr Barreto from the reigning Mangueira Samba school. 

In light of the president's alleged misogyny and racism, Samba school Viradouro, last year's runner up, paid homage to the former enslaved black washerwomen from the northern state of Bahia.

"There is lack of respect for women, from the government, from politicians in general. If there was more consideration and care for us, it would be much better for the country’s development," said Waldira Ferreira, a Viradouro dancer.

But this is Brazil, which always finds a way to mix its hardship with the sublime. The parade was once again a breathtaking spectacle, the result of a year's worth of hard work and rehearsal, where ordinary people have a chance to step into the limelight.

"I spend the whole year cleaning the home of my boss. I am a cleaning lady, so when this time comes, I feel like a queen. It is very good, I love it," explained Janete da Silva, a dancer that parades in several schools. 

Joy for many and also cash. Despite cutting off the parade's subsidies, Rio officials estimate this Carnival will inject about one billion dollars into the city's economy, in large part, because these people still manage to put on what is considered the biggest carnival show on earth.