Emperatriz: history, achievements and identity

The Social, Sports and Cultural Association “EmPERATRIZ” (Emperatriz Carnival Group) was born from a “crazy idea” of a group of friends on October 23, 2005. All these people bet, and still do, on their city's carnival, so that it progresses and becomes a stronger tourist attraction.

In 2006, Emperatriz was present at the Concordia carnivals, only participating (unable to compete according to what was established at that time), but its figures were allowed to compete. It was the carnival group that inaugurated the Atanasio Bonfiglio corsodrome with its passage. Its theme was “Emperatriz conquers the Carnival”.

In 2007 it competed for the first time with “A movie carnival”, obtaining third place. In 2008, with “Naturally Emperatriz”, it obtained second place; in 2009 it repeated second place with “A night at the Lido in Paris”.

Championships and themes

• 2010 — “I want to be a winner” (Champion)

• 2011 — “Naipí, a love in Guarani” (Champion)

• 2012 — “Your heart beats, beats, Emperatriz has arrived” (Champion)

• 2013 — “The enchanted Emperatriz” (Champion)

• 2014 — “The future is green and white” (Champion)

• 2015 — “Blue Gold” (Champion)

• 2016 — “Emperatriz is Carnival” (Champion)

• 2017 — “El Dorado, fever of conquest and wealth” (Champion)

• 2018 — “Aida, an opera in carnival” (Runner-up, after a controversial scrutiny)

• 2019 — “Emperatriz conquers your senses” (Champion)

• 2020 — “Telling stories from the heart” (8th crown, most winning carnival group)

• 2021 — Year of hiatus due to the pandemic; the workshop made face masks for institutions

• 2022 — “How do I explain so much love, Emperatriz” (Most winning carnival group, 2nd consecutive year)

• 2023 — “Perseus, you are the creator of your destiny” (1st place in Drum Section, Floats and Carnival Group)

• 2024 — “Emperatriz illuminates your life” (Triumph in the three categories)

• 2025 — “Green and white magic, carnival spell” (Leadership in the three categories)

Identity, workshop and cultural contribution

Since its beginning, its hallmark has been innovation in materials, organized distribution of resources, a careful and harmonious aesthetic, the participation of people from diverse neighborhoods and social conditions, and a constant attitude of self-improvement.

It is the only carnival group in Concordia with an installed design, sewing and costume assembly workshop that operates uninterruptedly between one carnival edition and another (Coldaroli 340). The use of quilting as a base for the costumes is possible thanks to the teamwork carried out in this space, which also functions as a venue for social activities. To promote economic equity, it implements a contribution voucher (with a prize) that allows costumes to be paid for in a complete and egalitarian manner. With leftover materials, reuse and recycling workshops are held in schools, bringing children and families closer to Carnival culture.

Floats and scenography

Its floats contextualize the staging from a scenographic concept that provides lighting, movement and color, essentially “carnivalesque” due to the number of dancers who samba on them. It was the first carnival group to implement carving in its sculptures, a technique used until today, perfecting it in volume and size. In 2020 it built the largest float that has paraded in the carnival; it repeated it in 2025 (according to regulations), with a float 8.50 m high by 13.50 m long, using two assembled trailers. Innovations include the use of floats that complete the Destaque staging.

Palmares and recognitions

Emperatriz, current six-time champion of the Concordia carnival, is the group with the most titles in the history of the Concordia Carnival: 12 championships won and 14 times recognized by the jury as the best carnival group. Its TNT drum section is a three-time champion at the local level and three-time champion at the National Meeting of Drum Sections and Batucadas. Since 2006 it has been the most numerous carnival group on stage.

Outstanding figures

• Most winning couple in Flag Bearer and Master of Ceremonies.

• Three-time champion Male Pasista: Néstor Gómez.

• Most winning figure of the Concordia Carnival: Emilce Cristina.

Commitment to the community

The “EMPERATRIZ” Association also makes fundamental contributions by collaborating with institutions and events in Concordia and the region such as ECU (United Concordiense Students), IUC (United Immigrants of Concordia), schools, LALCEC, among others.