We are thrilled to announce that London’s New Year’s Day Parade (LNYDP) will join our official samba ambassador provider, the London School of Samba (LSS), at this year’s Notting Hill Carnival Monday 26th August 2024. As LNYDP’s official samba ambassadors, LSS will be showcasing their spectacular “De Volta às Origens” (“Back to the Roots”) theme, celebrating their 40th Anniversary in style.
The LSS ‘Back to the Roots’ theme showcases the cultural diaspora of Africa to Brazil, recognising and celebrating the origins of Samba. The dancers are organised in various fantastic Alas (sections) representing the journey from Africa, via the Baianas of northern Brazil, Afro-Brazilian resistance movements, the birth of Mocidade Independente in Rio, up to the arrival of samba in London in 1984. For details, visit Carnival webpages.
LSS will bring over 180 performers, drummers, and dancers to the Carnival, offering a sneak peek of the vibrant energy they’ll unleash at London’s New Year’s Day Parade 2025.
LSS’s parade features two special guests and samba legends from Brazil: Mestre Bosco De Oliveira, founder and first Mestre de Bateria of LSS in 1984, and Artistic Director and choreographer George Louzada of Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel, LSS’s godmother school in Rio. George will also teach a series of samba dance workshops on 22nd-23rd of August.
The Bateria (drums section) will represent the drummers of Congado, a Congolese-Brazilian cultural manifestation that strongly influences samba from its conception to the present day. They are led by our new Queen of Drums (Rainha da Bateria) Jiyeon Yeom, who was elected in a hot dance contest and celebration earlier this month.
But that’s not all—stay tuned as we’ll be announcing some incredible participants shortly! With performers from all over the globe, this year’s LNYDP is shaping up to be a truly unforgettable event.
The Notting Hill Carnival remains a vibrant symbol of unity, joy, and cultural pride, deeply embedded in London’s identity. As we come together to celebrate London’s diversity and promote unity through shared cultural expression, we honour the rich heritage of the Caribbean community and the many contributions that make our city so dynamic. With the support of organisations like LNYDP, we continue to uplift these traditions, ensuring that the spirit of togetherness and celebration thrives for generations to come. We look forward to yet another year of music, dance, and connection, bringing people from all walks of life together in the heart of London.