Oslo Sambaskole: The Norwegian Samba School Bringing Carnival to the Nordics
- Rodrigo Braz Vieira
- May 27
- 7 min read
Samba has truly made its mark in Oslo! In recent times, Oslo Sambaskole—also known as GRES Unidos de Oslo—has seen growing interest in its workshops and gatherings, with more and more participants joining, both Norwegians and Brazilians. For years, the school has been an important promoter of Brazilian music and dance culture in Norway, participating in large parades and international festivals.
I remember a fantastic day in 2018 when Oslo Sambaskole organized a big parade down Oslo’s main street, Karl Johan Gate, right in the middle of summer. The atmosphere was electric, the sun was shining, and I had the pleasure of playing the tamborim. Are there plans to repeat a parade like that this year?
Last year, Oslo Sambaskole took part in the largest samba and carnival festival outside Brazil: the Samba-Festival Coburg in Germany. What was that experience like, and will they return this year? We spoke with founders Anders Hansen and Marius Olavesen to learn more about Oslo Sambaskole, their plans for 2025, and how you can become part of the samba family in Oslo.
Interview with Anders and Marius – GRES Unidos de Oslo
What motivated two Norwegians to start a samba school in Norway? Where did the interest and inspiration come from?
Anders: It began with my initiative—Marius, I, and a few others founded Oslo Sambaskole with the desire to create an environment for Brazilian percussion and culture in Norway. My personal interest in Brazilian music started in 2003, when I immersed myself in samba through workshops and trips to Carnaval Festivals in Europe. Inspired by the samba schools in Rio and samba's unique energy, I wanted to create a community where both beginners and experienced musicians and dancers could enjoy samba and carnival culture together.
Marius: I started dancing salsa in 2007 and always had an interest in Latin America. I’ve also played various instruments in bands and marching groups—I love the rhythms. Anders, whom I've known for decades, contacted me in spring 2011 and asked if I wanted to play some samba with him—and that’s how the ball got rolling.
Oslo Sambaskole has grown significantly in recent years, with more interest and more Brazilians joining. To what do you attribute this growth?
Anders: Several factors. General interest in Brazilian culture has increased, but Oslo Sambaskole has also worked actively to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels included. We have a strong focus on high-quality musical training, regular workshops, and collaboration with both Norwegian and international instructors. Our visibility at festivals, parades, and on social media has also helped attract more Brazilians and samba lovers from diverse backgrounds.
Marius: We’ve always had some Brazilians passing through the school, but suddenly, between 2024 and 2025, many arrived at the same time—many of them already knew each other. Social media and word of mouth definitely helped.
You’ve been hosting various workshops and gatherings—what can new participants expect when joining for the first time?
Anders: New participants are welcomed into an energetic and warm atmosphere. The teaching is structured, but with a playful approach that allows everyone to find their place in the drum section. We emphasize technique and understanding rhythms as a foundation for having fun. There's also a strong sense of community at Oslo Sambaskole, making it easy to make friends both inside and outside rehearsals.
Marius: Everyone who plays with us gets to know all the typical instruments from Rio’s samba schools and learns the basics. It’s also very social! We hand out earplugs—because the sound is loud and constant!
In 2018, you had a fantastic parade down Karl Johan Gate with lots of samba. Are there plans to do something similar this summer?
Anders: Yes! A big parade will take place again in Oslo on May 31, 2025, as part of the Verdenskarnevalet (World Carnival). We’re working hard to prepare a show and participate in a parade that’s taking shape. We’ll welcome samba guests from across Europe—Sweden, Denmark, Poland, the Netherlands, and Germany—who will come to Oslo to parade with Oslo Sambaskole.
Marius: We’ve been doing parades in Oslo since 2012, though there was a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024 we took part in Verdenskarnevalet organized by Verdensfolk, and we’ll do the same this year. The carnival date is Saturday, May 31.
Last year you took part in the Samba-Festival Coburg, the largest samba and carnival festival outside Brazil. How was the experience, and what does it mean for Oslo Sambaskole to represent Norway at such an event?
Anders: Participating in the Samba-Festival Coburg is always an amazing experience. It’s one of the few opportunities for the European samba scene to come together on a large scale. For Oslo Sambaskole, it was a chance to showcase our work, play with musicians from around the world, and find inspiration to keep evolving. It’s also a platform for building relationships with other groups, opening doors for collaborations and guest instructors.
Marius: We've been to Coburg several times, and it’s always a blast! We meet people from all over the world and see many talented groups and artists. Oslo Sambaskole even played on the main stage—an unforgettable experience.
Are you participating in the Samba-Festival Coburg again this year? Can you share some of your travel and organizational plans?
Anders: Yes, Oslo Sambaskole is going to Coburg again this year. Planning has already begun, and this time we’re going with an even stronger team. We’re rehearsing the repertoire well in advance and organizing a group bus trip to Germany.
Marius: We’re heading there again in July and are already getting everything ready. First, we’ll go to Copenhagen, then continue by bus to Germany. It’s a long trip, so having a driver with us helps. There’s a lot to plan and organize, in addition to rehearsals. Anders has prepared a full performance program with several samba themes we’ll perform on stage. We’ll also parade, so we’re bringing sound boxes and a sound car. It’s a lot of work—but the best part is that so many samba players from across Europe want to perform with us there.
What are the biggest challenges of maintaining a samba school in Norway, and how do you keep engagement and standards high?
Anders: One of the biggest challenges is maintaining member continuity, especially since many participants have other commitments or are only in Norway temporarily. The Norwegian climate and event logistics can also be tricky. We keep motivation high with regular workshops, fostering a sense of belonging, and setting clear goals, such as participating in parades and festivals.Marius: There’s always something going on: planning rehearsals, performances, ordering instruments, admin work, updating the website and social media, accounting, fundraising, etc. Fortunately, we have a board team that helps. We use Microsoft SharePoint and various mobile apps to keep everything organized—documents, members, payments, and event participation. We’d love to be more active on social media, but all this takes time—and we still have jobs outside the school. We’ve tested many routines and learned a lot. Anyone who wants to join is welcome—playing together gives a lot of energy.
How do you view collaboration with the Norwegian and international samba scene? Are there any special projects underway?
Anders: Collaboration with the international samba scene has been essential for Oslo Sambaskole’s development. We have close ties with groups in Sweden, Denmark, and Germany.
Marius: We work with various dance groups in Oslo and with dancers and musicians from all over Scandinavia. The scene in Norway is small, so it’s great to have support from Sweden and Denmark when needed. Almost every year, we have international guests for our carnivals, workshops, shows, and parties. In Gothenburg, there’s a Samba School called "A Bunda," active since 1984, with whom we have a great relationship. The same in Copenhagen—we’ve connected with many Samba Schools there—at one point, there were 9 in the region. Many samba players travel a lot and have an extensive network in the samba world.
What would you say to someone who wants to try a workshop but feels they have no rhythm or can’t dance?
Anders: Samba is for everyone! Many think they need prior experience, but the most important thing is wanting to learn and have fun. We use a teaching method where everyone can develop at their own pace. In the percussion section, we start with basic rhythms.
Marius: Everyone can come and try it. It takes time to learn, so patience is important. Some instruments are harder than others, and that should also be considered.
For those wanting to join Oslo Sambaskole – how do you sign up and start learning samba?
Anders: The easiest way is to just show up at a rehearsal! Info about times and locations is on our website and social media. You can also get in touch beforehand to ask how to get started.
Marius: Visit our website oslosambaskole.no, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We’re planning a beginner workshop after summer, so everyone can learn in time for the summer carnival here in Oslo.
Finally, what’s your dream for the future of Oslo Sambaskole? Any big ambitions underway?
Anders: Our goal is to establish Oslo Sambaskole as one of the strongest samba schools in Europe—musically and organizationally. In the long term, we want to organize even bigger samba gatherings in Norway, expand collaboration with other European groups, and maybe even take a big group from Norway to Rio to participate in and experience carnival there.
Marius: In the short term, we want to keep things running as they are and build a stable group with lots of good people. We also want to attract more dancers, like we had before. We want to grow gradually, in a controlled way. Performing at different festivals is always a highlight.
Samba lives and pulses in the heart of Oslo, thanks to the dedication of passionate people like Anders Hansen, Marius Olavesen, and everyone at Oslo Sambaskole (GRES Unidos de Oslo). Whether you dream of playing surdo, mastering the tamborim, or just dancing and feeling the rhythm in your body—you’re more than welcome to join.
🎭 Want to feel the samba energy live?Don’t miss Oslo Sambaskole in full swing during the Verdenskarnevalet on Saturday, May 31, 2025! Starting at 11:00, Karl Johan Gate transforms into a colorful street party with costumes, dance, and contagious rhythms—right in the center of the Norwegian capital.
Come, watch—and who knows, you might just be inspired to join Oslo’s samba family. Axé!
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