The Bloco do Litraço in Jardim São Luís, southern zone of São Paulo, marked its tenth year with a family-oriented parade on Sunday, February 15, 2026. For the first time, the group received funding from the city hall, underscoring community support amid challenges from municipal management. The event brought together local generations, emphasizing children and neighborhood traditions.
In the early afternoon of February 15, 2026, the Bloco do Litraço gathered on Rua Dr. Octacílio de Carvalho Lopes in Jardim São Luís, southern zone of São Paulo, for its tenth-anniversary parade. The ceremony featured the crowning of 10-year-old Manoella Gomes as battery princess, the final step before the procession. Children joined dance classes and foam play, while neighbors of all ages convened, fostering a family atmosphere distinct from the city hall's megablocos.
Founded by musicians including 37-year-old Gabriel Leite, known as Bel, his 39-year-old sister Maristela Leite, and 33-year-old Danilo Piovani, alias Ktatau, the bloc emerged from rehearsals with marchinhas and liter-bottle beer, inspired by tunes from teacher Felipe Pipeta. The inaugural parade took place in 2016, improvised, following 2015 performances at Bloco do Beco. Traditionally backed by organizers and local merchants, Litraço remained a neighborhood party, pausing to sing marchinhas for figures like Zé, son of the former Bar do Prudente owner.
This year, the group secured municipal funding for the first time, enabling activities like a marchinhas contest and confetti distribution for children. Cultural producer Ane Solar, new to the organization, noted: "Vem muita criança no bloco, então conseguimos montar essa coroação da princesa" (There are many children at the bloc, so we managed to set up this princess crowning). However, the production criticized the centralization under Mayor Ricardo Nunes (MDB), with Ambev sponsorship restricting vendors to specific registrations and no water distribution in peripheral blocs. City hall did not respond on water, and Jardim São Luís is absent from Sabesp's serviced neighborhoods list.
Attendees like saxophonist Ktatau stressed the community aspect: "A quebrada cobra: o pessoal vê a gente e pergunta se vai ter. A quebrada merece" (The hood demands it: people see us and ask if it'll happen. The hood deserves it). The bloc has drawn over 4,000 people in past editions and, during the pandemic, aided food donations to 170 entities. Rules broadcast on the sound truck included zero tolerance for harassment, racism, and LGBTphobia, prioritizing child fun. Manoella, moved, said: "Gente, eu tô muito feliz, muito mesmo" (Folks, I'm so happy, really). Her mother, 38-year-old Nayara Gomes, added: "Ela é a realização do meu sonho" (She is the realization of my dream).
