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Samba girl wins right to dance at Carnival
Source: Agencies |
February 12, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A FAMILY court judge in Brazil ruled on Wednesday that a seven-year-old girl should be allowed to samba before a crowd of thousands as a Carnival drum corps queen, a coveted role normally reserved for sultry models.
Little Julia Lira is scheduled to perform for the packed Sambadrome stadium - and for millions more around the country via live television - early Monday morning in Rio de Janeiro when the Viradouro samba group parades.
Her father, Marco Lira, said he knew "justice would prevail."
The Rio state agency for child protection confirmed the ruling and said it would appeal. Calls to Judge Ivone Caetano, who decided the case, were not returned.
Viradouro's plan to make Julia its Carnival queen has created a stir in Rio and made headlines around the globe. Some child's rights advocates say it's inappropriate for a young girl to be in such a traditionally sexualized role.
"The decision sets a negative precedent that will have implications across Brazil," said Carlos Nicodemos, who as director of the Rio de Janeiro state Council for the Defense of Children and Adolescents had asked the court to block Julia's participation.
Nicodemos said he worries about what message it sends to a nation that has long had a problem with sexual exploitation of children.
Julia's father, who is also the president of Viradouro, has said concerns about the girl's well-being are overblown.
Little Julia Lira is scheduled to perform for the packed Sambadrome stadium - and for millions more around the country via live television - early Monday morning in Rio de Janeiro when the Viradouro samba group parades.
Her father, Marco Lira, said he knew "justice would prevail."
The Rio state agency for child protection confirmed the ruling and said it would appeal. Calls to Judge Ivone Caetano, who decided the case, were not returned.
Viradouro's plan to make Julia its Carnival queen has created a stir in Rio and made headlines around the globe. Some child's rights advocates say it's inappropriate for a young girl to be in such a traditionally sexualized role.
"The decision sets a negative precedent that will have implications across Brazil," said Carlos Nicodemos, who as director of the Rio de Janeiro state Council for the Defense of Children and Adolescents had asked the court to block Julia's participation.
Nicodemos said he worries about what message it sends to a nation that has long had a problem with sexual exploitation of children.
Julia's father, who is also the president of Viradouro, has said concerns about the girl's well-being are overblown.
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