The 2023 Rio de Janeiro Special Group parades took place between February 19th and 20th, 2023, at the Marquês de Sapucaí, with exclusive broadcast on TV Globo. The schools in the Special Group in 2023 were, in order of presentation: Império Serrano, Acadêmicos do Grande Rio, Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel, Unidos da Tijuca, Acadêmicos do Salgueiro, Estação Primeira de Mangueira, Paraíso do Tuiuti, Portela, Unidos de Vila Isabel, Imperatriz Leopoldinense, Beija-Flor de Nilópolis, and Unidos do Viradouro. The grand champion was Imperatriz Leopoldinense, with a theme about the life and death of the bandit Lampião. The other champion schools were Viradouro, Vila Isabel, Beija-Flor, Mangueira, and Grande Rio, and the school relegated to the Gold Series was Império Serrano.
'The plot of "Lugares de Arlindo" is a tribute to the singer and composer, Arlindo Cruz.'
The storyline "Ô Zeca, o pagode onde é que é?" pays homage to the singer and songwriter Zeca Pagodinho.
The storyline "Land of my Sky, Stars of my Soil" proposes a journey to Alto do Moura, a neighborhood in Caruaru (PE) that breathes the art of clay by Mestre Vitalino — and his disciples.
The theme "It's a wave that goes... It's a wave that comes... I will be the Bay of All Saints reflecting on the samba of my land" arrives at Sapucaí as a tribute to the Bay of All Saints, in Bahia.
With the theme "Delusions of a Red Paradise," the school will talk about the importance of freedom of expression, paying homage to Joãosinho Trinta, and showing that everyone builds their own paradise.
The theme "The Africas that Bahia Sings About" aims to bring to the Sapucaí (Sambadrome) the construction of visions of Africa in Bahia, through the musicality and black carnival institutions.
The school will use the story of how the buffalo ended up on Marajó Island to, through the plot, exalt the culture of the state of Pará.
Portela will bring to the Sapucaí the theme "The blue that comes from infinity", about the history of the school's 100 years.
With the theme "At this party, I bring faith," the school speaks about the poetics of religious festivals that mobilize the Brazilian population.
"He died. He went to Hell. The Devil didn't want him there. He tried to go to Heaven. Saint Peter wouldn't let him in. He's going to end up somewhere."
The school proposes a reflection: "Who exactly does this Independence embrace? Who is in control?..."
The school will tell the life and work of "Rosa Maria Egipcíaca," or Rosa Courana, considered the first Black woman to write a book in the country.
Highlights from the 2023 Rio de Janeiro Special Group parades