{{Short description|Festival in Guimarães, Portugal}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox recurring event | native_name = Festas Nicolinas | native_name_lang = pt | logo = Símbolo Nicolino.jpeg | logo_size = 150px | logo_caption = The logo of the Nicolinas, located at the Torre dos Almadas, silhouettes a traditional Nicolino playing a drum. | image = | imagesize = | caption = | date = | begins = 29 November | ends = 7 December | prev = | next = | frequency = Once per year | location = Guimarães | country = Portugal | years_active = 1500s/1600s – present | first = | last = | participants_title = Name given to the participants | participants = Nicolinos | attendance = | genre = Festivities in honor of Saint Nicholas | budget = | activity = * Election of the Nicolinas Festivities Committee (last Friday of September) * Moinas (every Saturday in November until the 29th) * Pinheiro e Ceias Nicolinas (29 November) * Novenas (29 November to 7 December) * Posses e Magusto (4 December) * Pregão (5 December) * Maçãzinhas (6 December) * Danças de São Nicolau (6 December) * Baile da Saudade (7 December) * Roubalheiras (night varies) | patron = | organised = Nicolinas Festivities Committee | people = | member = | website = {{Official website|https://www.nicolinos.pt/}} }}
The '''Nicolinas''' ({{langx|pt|Festas Nicolinas}}) are a series of festivities held in honor of Saint Nicholas in the Portuguese city of Guimarães. Observed annually from 29 November to 7 December,<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2022 |title=Guimarães prepara-se para receber as Festas Nicolinas |trans-title=Guimarães prepares to host the Nicolinas Festivities |url=https://bragatv.pt/guimaraes-prepara-se-para-receber-as-festas-nicolinas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231192917/https://bragatv.pt/guimaraes-prepara-se-para-receber-as-festas-nicolinas/ |archive-date=31 December 2023 |access-date=31 December 2023 |language=pt}}</ref> they celebrate local traditions and camaraderie (particularly among students).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mota |first=Carla |date=21 January 2022 |title=Nicolinas em Guimarães – O Pinheiro e as festas estudantis |trans-title=Nicolinas in Guimarães – Pinheiro and the student parties |url=https://www.viajarentreviagens.pt/portugal/guimaraes-nicolinas/ |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=Viajar entre Viagens |language=pt-PT}}</ref> The first known literary reference to the Nicolinas dates to 1664, the year after<ref>{{cite web |title=Capela de São Nicolau |trans-title=Chapel Of Saint Nicholas |url=http://www.monumentos.gov.pt/Site/APP_PagesUser/SIPA.aspx?id=16868 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241129010721/http://www.monumentos.gov.pt/Site/APP_PagesUser/SIPA.aspx?id=16868 |archive-date=29 November 2024 |access-date=26 May 2025 |website=www.monumentos.gov.pt |language=pt}}</ref> the construction of the Chapel of St Nicholas in Guimarães;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Festas Nicolinas |trans-title=Nicolinas Festivities |url=https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/viver/festas-nicolinas |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023185131/https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/viver/festas-nicolinas |archive-date=23 October 2023 |access-date=23 October 2023 |website=www.cm-guimaraes.pt |language=pt-PT}}</ref> historical evidence, however, suggests that they predate this.<ref name="www.nicolinos.pt-2" />
The Nicolinas consist of eight main events: the Pinheiro, the Novenas, the Danças de São Nicolau, the Posses e Magusto, the Pregão, the Maçãzinhas, the Baile da Saudade and the Roubalheiras.<ref>{{cite web |title=Festas Nicolinas 2023 |trans-title=Nicolinas Festivities 2023 |url=https://www.visitguimaraes.travel/pages/1150/?geo_article_id=612 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217134037/https://www.visitguimaraes.travel/pages/1150/?geo_article_id=612 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |access-date=6 June 2025 |website=visitguimaraes}}</ref> They are organized by the Nicolinas Festivities Committee, a group of 10 male high-school students.<ref name="blo">{{Cite web |last=Neves |first=António Amaro |date=18 November 2018 |title=Do direito de pertencer à Comissão de Festas Nicolinas |trans-title=The right to belong to the Nicolinas Festivities Committee |url=http://araduca.blogspot.com/2018/11/do-direito-de-pertencer-comissao-de.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224141857/http://araduca.blogspot.com/2018/11/do-direito-de-pertencer-comissao-de.html |archive-date=24 December 2023 |access-date=24 December 2023 |language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2019 |title=Festas Nicolinas |trans-title=Nicolinas Festivities |url=https://www.portuguesefromportugal.com/articles/festas-nicolinas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231192917/https://www.portuguesefromportugal.com/articles/festas-nicolinas/ |archive-date=31 December 2023 |access-date=31 December 2023 |website=Portuguese from Portugal |language=Pt}}</ref> Active participants are known as "Nicolinos".<ref>{{cite web |title=Nicolino |trans-title=Nicolino |url=https://www.infopedia.pt/dicionarios/lingua-portuguesa-aao/nicolino |website=Infopedia |publisher=Infopedia Portugal |language=Pt}}</ref>
== History == The significance of the cult of Saint Nicholas in Guimarães during the 17th century is indicated by historical evidence such as the 1663 construction of a chapel dedicated to the saint, and statutory documents including 1691 statutes for the Brotherhood of Saint Nicholas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chapel of St Nicholas |url=http://www.monumentos.gov.pt/Site/APP_PagesUser/SIPA.aspx?id=16868 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023200644/http://www.monumentos.gov.pt/Site/APP_PagesUser/SIPA.aspx?id=16868 |archive-date=23 October 2023 |access-date=25 December 2023 |publisher=Heritage Architectural Information, Portuguese Ministry of Culture |language=pt}}</ref> Although academic celebrations related to Nicholas in Guimarães can be traced back to at least 1645,<ref name="matrizpci.patrimoniocultural.gov.pt">{{Cite web |title=Matriz PCI – Ficha de Património Imaterial – Festas Nicolinas |trans-title=Matrix ICH – Sheet of Intangible Cultural Heritage – Nicolinas Festivities |url=https://matrizpci.patrimoniocultural.gov.pt/InventarioNacional/DetalheFicha/535?dirPesq=0 |access-date=5 April 2025 |website=matrizpci.patrimoniocultural.gov.pt |language=Pt}}</ref> they appear to predate that period; historians date the beginning of the Nicolinas to the 14th and 15th centuries, when the European cult of Saint Nicholas arrived in the city.<ref name="www.nicolinos.pt-2">{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – S. Nicolau |trans-title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Saint Nicholas |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/86 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023185135/https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/86 |archive-date=23 October 2023 |access-date=23 October 2023 |website=www.nicolinos.pt |language=Pt}}</ref>
During the 19th century, the festivities were celebrated less frequently and at irregular intervals, until 1875, when they ceased.<ref name="Neves-2015" /> On 21 November 1895, a group of students and other citizens led by Jerónimo Sampaio and Bráulio Caldas organized a gathering at the Afonso Henriques Theatre to propose that the Nicolinas be reintroduced.<ref>{{Cite web |title=125 Anos Nicolinas |trans-title=125 Years of the Nicolinas |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/586090767/125-anos-Nicolinas |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091755/https://www.scribd.com/document/586090767/125-anos-Nicolinas |archive-date=7 October 2024 |access-date=3 October 2024 |website=Scribd |language=Pt}}</ref> Previously limited to one day (6 December), the celebrations were extended.<ref name="Neves-2015">{{Cite web |last=Neves |first=António Amaro |date=7 December 2015 |title=Festas Nicolinas: história e tradição |trans-title=Nicolinas Festivities: history and tradition |url=http://araduca.blogspot.com/2015/12/festas-nicolinas-historia-e-tradicao.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231229181458/http://araduca.blogspot.com/2015/12/festas-nicolinas-historia-e-tradicao.html |archive-date=29 December 2023 |access-date=29 December 2023 |language=pt}}</ref> Originally called the St. Nicholas Festivities, João de Meira renamed them during the early 20th century, and they became known as the "Nicolinas".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guimarães |first=Mais |date=1 December 2020 |title=Festas Nicolinas: História e Tradição |trans-title=Nicolinas Festivities: history and tradition |url=https://maisguimaraes.pt/festas-nicolinas-historia-e-tradicao/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225171721/https://maisguimaraes.pt/festas-nicolinas-historia-e-tradicao/ |archive-date=25 December 2023 |access-date=25 December 2023 |website=Mais Guimarães |language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Guimarães e as suas Festas |trans-title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Guimarães and its parties |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/arquivo/675 |access-date=26 December 2023 |website=www.nicolinos.pt |language=Pt}}</ref>
The new format was initially two days, with the programme for 6 December announced by a town crier who walked the streets of the city on 5 December. This was eventually extended to the present eight-day format, beginning on 29 November and ending on 7 December.<ref name="gui">{{Cite web |title=Nicolinas |url=https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/conhecer/evento-49/nicolinas |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224143131/https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/conhecer/evento-49/nicolinas |archive-date=24 December 2023 |access-date=24 December 2023 |publisher=Guimarães Municipality |language=pt-PT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mota |first=Carla |date=21 January 2022 |title=Nicolinas em Guimarães – O Pinheiro e as festas estudantis |trans-title=Nicolinas in Guimarães – The Pinheiro and student parties |url=https://www.viajarentreviagens.pt/portugal/guimaraes-nicolinas/ |access-date=23 December 2023 |website=Viajar entre Viagens |language=pt}}</ref>
== Main festivities == {{stack|thumb|alt=A group of young men outdoors in front of a large crowd|Election of the 2024 Nicolinas Festivities Committee at the Toural Fountain}}
The festivities take place every year from 29 November to 7 December and include several events, from the Pinheiro (the most popular) to the Baile da Saudade (the end of the festivities).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Geral |title=Festas Nicolinas chegam ao fim com o Baile da Saudade |trans-title=Nicolinas Festivities come to an end with the Baile da Saudade |url=https://www.guimaraesdigital.pt/index.php/informacao/sociedade/57413-festas-nicolinas-chegam-ao-fim-com-o-baile-da-saudade |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224141859/https://www.guimaraesdigital.pt/index.php/informacao/sociedade/57413-festas-nicolinas-chegam-ao-fim-com-o-baile-da-saudade |archive-date=24 December 2023 |access-date=24 December 2023 |website=Guimaraesdigital.pt |language=pt}}</ref> The Nicolinas are organized by the Nicolinas Festivities Committee (''Comissão das Festas Nicolinas''), a group of 10 male students from Guimarães' high schools. The committee is elected annually by students on the last Friday of September at the Toural Fountain.<ref name="blo" /> Before 1982, only students from the Martins Sarmento High School could participate; since then, students from the other local high schools (Francisco de Holanda, Santos Simões, Caldas das Taipas and Veiga; the latter closed in 2005))<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guimarães |first=Mais |date=13 April 2020 |title=Pontos de (des)interesse: Escola da Veiga |trans-title=Points of (un)interest: Veiga School |url=https://maisguimaraes.pt/pontos-de-desinteresse-escola-da-veiga/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241015213952/https://maisguimaraes.pt/pontos-de-desinteresse-escola-da-veiga/ |archive-date=15 October 2024 |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=Mais Guimarães |language=pt}}</ref> have also been eligible to participate and vote for committee members.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Neves |first1=António Amaro das |last2=Saraiva |first2=Clara |last3=Castro |first3=Hugo |last4=Faria |first4=Rui |title=As Festas Nicolinas em Guimarães: tempo, solenidade e riso |trans-title=The Nicolinas Festivities in Guimarães: time, solemnity and laughter |url=https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/cmguimaraes/uploads/writer_file/document/6952/estudo_nicolinas.pdf |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=www.cm-guimaraes.pt |language=Pt}}</ref>
=== <span class="anchor" id="Pinheiro and the Ceias Nicolinas"></span>Pinheiro and Ceias Nicolinas === The festivities begin on 29 November<ref>{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Festas Nicolinas |trans-title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Nicolinas Festivities |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/76 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224003550/https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/76 |archive-date=24 December 2023 |access-date=23 October 2023 |website=www.nicolinos.pt |language=Pt}}</ref> with the planting of a ''pinheiro'' (pine tree)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pinheiro – 29 de Novembro |trans-title=Pinheiro – 29th of November |url=https://nicolinas.pt/pinheiro/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017213122/https://nicolinas.pt/pinheiro/ |archive-date=17 October 2019 |access-date=6 June 2025 |website=nicolinas.pt |language=Pt}}</ref> and the Ceias Nicolinas (Nicolinas Supper),<ref>{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Ceias Nicolinas |trans-title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Nicolinas supper |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/arquivo/222 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424115338/https://www.nicolinos.pt/arquivo/222 |archive-date=24 April 2025 |access-date=23 October 2023 |website=www.nicolinos.pt |language=Pt}}</ref> held in honor of Saint Nicholas. These two events are the Nicolinas' most popular, especially among the youth of Guimarães.<ref name="www.cm-guimaraes.pt" /> The Nicolinas Supper traditionally contains ''rojões'' with broccoli rabe, along with ''papas de sarrabulho'' (sarrabulho porridge) and Vinho Verde.<ref name="www.cm-guimaraes.pt">{{Cite web |title=Pinheiro |url=https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/conhecer/evento-49/pinheiro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110171158/https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/conhecer/evento-49/pinheiro |archive-date=10 January 2023 |access-date=26 December 2023 |website=www.cm-guimaraes.pt |language=pt}}</ref>
thumb|alt=A large group of men outdoors, some playing drums|People of all ages celebrated the Pinheiro on 29 November 2018. The name ''Pinheiro'', describing the entire festivity, originated in the second half of the 19th century. Before that, references to the first Nicolinas festivity mentioned the "raising of the flagpole" or "the flag", rarely connecting the "flagpole" with the tradition of planting a pine tree.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Programa |trans-title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Programme |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/arquivo/197 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226200508/https://www.nicolinos.pt/arquivo/197 |archive-date=26 December 2023 |access-date=26 December 2023 |website=www.nicolinos.pt |language=Pt}}</ref>
After the Nicolinas Supper, participants gather at the Cano (at the Campo de São Mamede, named after the Battle of São Mamede) and await the start of the Pinheiro procession.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Battle of São Mamede – Portuguese history |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Battle-of-Sao-Mamede |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110064357/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Battle-of-Sao-Mamede |archive-date=10 November 2020 |access-date=23 October 2023 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> The pine tree, traditionally the region's tallest, is provided by the Martins de Alvão family; it is prepared on the day of the procession by members of the committee. Decorated with candles, garlands, and banners with satirical and critical commentary on current issues, the pine is placed on a long cart and pulled through the city center by bulls.
Celebrants march alongside the pine playing the traditional ''Toques Nicolinos'' on ''caixas'' and ''bombos'' (drums made in special workshops across the city for the festival) or walk on the sidewalks. The parade ends next to Santos Passos Church, where the pine is raised and planted; this marks the beginning of the Nicolinas.{{sfn |César Gonçalves |Cunha |2016 |pages=11–12}}
Until the 20th century, the pine tree selected for the event came from the forests surrounding the city.{{sfn |Carvalho |1956 |pages=95–97}} It was traditionally replanted at the Toural, but the practice changed during the late 1700s as urban expansion began to encroach on the area. The location for replanting the pine changed several times before settling next to Santos Passos Church.{{sfn |Carvalho |1956 |pages=95–97}}
In addition to students, people of all ages from Guimarães, nearby towns or from the rest of Portugal are spectators or participants.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gomes |first=Adelino |date=29 November 2002 |title=Festas nicolinas levam milhares de vimaranenses para a rua |trans-title=Nicolinas festivities bring thousands of Vimaranenses to the streets |url=https://www.publico.pt/2002/11/29/local/noticia/festas-nicolinas-levam-milhares-de-vimaranenses-para-a-rua-199050 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230022957/https://www.publico.pt/2002/11/29/local/noticia/festas-nicolinas-levam-milhares-de-vimaranenses-para-a-rua-199050 |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=Publico |language=pt}}</ref> Teens and young adults often get drunk at the start of the procession,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Minho |first=O. |date=30 November 2023 |title=Guimarães: 8 intoxicações alcoólicas, duas súbitas e duas quedas na abertura das Nicolinas |trans-title=Guimarães: 8 alcoholic intoxications, two sudden injuries and two falls at the opening of the Nicolinas Festival |url=https://ominho.pt/guimaraes-8-intoxicacoes-alcoolicas-duas-subitas-e-duas-quedas-na-abertura-das-nicolinas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230022957/https://ominho.pt/guimaraes-8-intoxicacoes-alcoolicas-duas-subitas-e-duas-quedas-na-abertura-das-nicolinas/ |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=O Minho |language=pt-PT}}</ref> which older Nicolinos call "a distortion of the tradition, fueled by convenience".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guimarães |first=Mais |date=29 November 2019 |title=O "Álcool" e as Festas Nicolinas |trans-title=Alcohol and the Nicolinas Festivities |url=https://maisguimaraes.pt/o-alcool-e-as-festas-nicolinas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225153802/https://maisguimaraes.pt/o-alcool-e-as-festas-nicolinas/ |archive-date=25 December 2023 |access-date=25 December 2023 |website=Mais Guimarães |language=pt}}</ref>
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Renascença |title=Mapas e Números do Coronavirus |trans-title=Maps and Numbers of Covid-19 |url=https://coronavirus.rr.pt/ |access-date=6 June 2025 |website=Renascença |language=pt}}</ref> the number of people attending the Pinheiro did not fall<ref>{{Cite web |last=SAPO |date=29 November 2020 |title=Covid-19: PSP pede que Festas Nicolinas em Guimarães sejam celebradas em casa |trans-title=Covid-19: PSP asks for the Nicolinas festivities in Guimarães to be celebrated at home |url=https://24.sapo.pt/atualidade/artigos/covid-19-psp-pede-que-festas-nicolinas-em-guimaraes-sejam-celebradas-em-casa |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231192919/https://24.sapo.pt/atualidade/artigos/covid-19-psp-pede-que-festas-nicolinas-em-guimaraes-sejam-celebradas-em-casa |archive-date=31 December 2023 |access-date=31 December 2023 |website=SAPO 24 |language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 November 2020 |title=Ajuntamento nas Festas Nicolinas em Guimarães |trans-title=Gathering at the Nicolinas Festivities in Guimarães |url=https://sicnoticias.pt/especiais/coronavirus/2020-11-29-Ajuntamento-nas-Festas-Nicolinas-em-Guimaraes |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=SIC Notícias |language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Centenas de pessoas reuném-se no centro histórico de Guimarães para assinalar arranque das festas nicolinas |trans-title=Hundreds of people gather in the historic center of Guimarães to mark the start of the Nicolinas festivities |url=https://www.cm-tv.pt/atualidade/detalhe/centenas-de-pessoas-reunem-se-no-centro-historico-de-guimaraes-para-assinalar-arranque-das-festas-nicolinas |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230022958/https://www.cm-tv.pt/atualidade/detalhe/centenas-de-pessoas-reunem-se-no-centro-historico-de-guimaraes-para-assinalar-arranque-das-festas-nicolinas |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=www.cm-tv.pt |language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 November 2020 |title=Festas Nicolinas criam ajuntamento de centenas de pessoas em Guimarães |trans-title=Nicolinas festivities bring hundreds of people together in Guimarães |url=https://tvi.iol.pt/noticias/videos/festas-nicolinas-criam-ajuntamento-de-centenas-de-pessoas-em-guimaraes/5fc3fdcb0cf203abc5b420ae |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231192917/https://tvi.iol.pt/noticias/videos/festas-nicolinas-criam-ajuntamento-de-centenas-de-pessoas-em-guimaraes/5fc3fdcb0cf203abc5b420ae |archive-date=31 December 2023 |access-date=31 December 2023 |language=pt}}</ref> despite restrictions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ZAP |date=30 November 2020 |title=Apesar do apelo das autoridades, centenas de pessoas saíram à rua para fazer a festa em Guimarães |trans-title=Despite the authorities' appeal, hundreds of people went to the streets to celebrate in Guimarães |url=https://zap.aeiou.pt/centenas-pessoas-festa-guimaraes-362920 |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=ZAP Notícias – Atualidade, mundo, ciência, saúde, desporto |language=pt-PT}}</ref> Attendance was unexpectedly comparable to previous years,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nicolinas 2020 condicionadas pela pandemia mas sem vontade de por em causa a tradição |trans-title=Nicolinas 2020 conditioned by the pandemic but unwilling to jeopardize tradition |url=https://reflexodigital.com/noticias/nicolinas-2020-condicionadas-pela-pandemia-mas-sem-vontade-de-por-em-causa-a-tradicao/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230022958/https://reflexodigital.com/noticias/nicolinas-2020-condicionadas-pela-pandemia-mas-sem-vontade-de-por-em-causa-a-tradicao/ |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=reflexodigital.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carli |first=Paolo |date=2021 |title=Risposte urbane rapide per nuovi spazi inclusivi e habitat durante la pandemia |trans-title=Urban responses for new inclusive spaces and habitats during the pandemic |url=https://re.public.polimi.it/retrieve/handle/11311/1200527/699464/Articolo%20Pubblicato%20Febbraio2022.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231191047/https://re.public.polimi.it/retrieve/handle/11311/1200527/699464/Articolo%20Pubblicato%20Febbraio2022.pdf |archive-date=31 December 2023 |access-date=31 December 2023 |language=It}}</ref> which was attributed to the cultural importance of the festivities to the residents of Guimarães.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lusa |date=29 November 2020 |title=Covid-19. Após "concentração anormal de pessoas" em Guimarães, PSP pede que Nicolinas sejam celebradas em casa |trans-title=Covid-19. After "abnormal concentration of people" in Guimarães, PSP asks that Nicolinas be celebrated at home |url=https://www.publico.pt/2020/11/29/local/noticia/covid19-apos-concentracao-anormal-pessoas-guimaraes-psp-pede-nicolinas-celebradas-casa-1941145 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230022957/https://www.publico.pt/2020/11/29/local/noticia/covid19-apos-concentracao-anormal-pessoas-guimaraes-psp-pede-nicolinas-celebradas-casa-1941145 |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=PÚBLICO |language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lusa |first=Agência |title=Multidão junta-se nas Festas Nicolinas em Guimarães, apesar de apelo em contrário da PSP e da autarquia |trans-title=Crowds gather at the Nicolinas Festivities in Guimarães, despite appeals to the contrary from the PSP and the municipality |url=https://observador.pt/2020/11/29/multidao-junta-se-nas-festas-nicolinas-em-guimaraes-apesar-de-apelo-em-contrario-da-psp-e-da-autarquia/ |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=Observador |language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 November 2020 |title=Centenas de pessoas reuném-se no centro histórico de Guimarães para assinalar arranque das festas nicolinas |trans-title=Hundreds of people gather in the historic center of Guimarães to mark the start of the Nicolinas festivities |url=https://www.cmjornal.pt/sociedade/detalhe/centenas-de-pessoas-reunem-se-no-centro-historico-de-guimaraes-para-assinalar-arranque-das-festas-nicolinas-veja-as-imagens |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230022958/https://www.cmjornal.pt/sociedade/detalhe/centenas-de-pessoas-reunem-se-no-centro-historico-de-guimaraes-para-assinalar-arranque-das-festas-nicolinas-veja-as-imagens |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=www.cmjornal.pt |language=pt}}</ref> It was similar in 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 November 2021 |title=Festas Nicolinas em Guimarães: pandemia condicionou, mas não matou tradição estudantil |trans-title=Nicolinas Festivities in Guimarães: pandemic conditioned, but didn't kill the academic tradition |url=https://sicnoticias.pt/pais/2021-11-30-Festas-Nicolinas-em-Guimaraes-pandemia-condicionou-mas-nao-matou-tradicao-estudantil-16ced991 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230022957/https://sicnoticias.pt/pais/2021-11-30-Festas-Nicolinas-em-Guimaraes-pandemia-condicionou-mas-nao-matou-tradicao-estudantil-16ced991 |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=SIC Notícias |language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 November 2021 |title=Comissão de Festas: responsáveis da Câmara "não respeitaram o compromisso" |trans-title=Nicolinas Festivities Committee: City Council responsibles "didn't accomplish what was agreed" |url=https://jornaldeguimaraes.pt/noticias/comissao-de-festas-responsaveis-da-camara-nao-respeitaram-o-compromisso/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230022958/https://jornaldeguimaraes.pt/noticias/comissao-de-festas-responsaveis-da-camara-nao-respeitaram-o-compromisso/ |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=jornaldeguimaraes.pt |language=Pt}}</ref> when about 50,000 people attended the Pinheiro procession.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Portugal |first=Rádio e Televisão de |date=30 November 2021 |title=Guimarães. Festas Nicolinas juntaram cerca de 50 mil pessoas |trans-title=Guimarães. The Nicolinas festivities brought together around 50,000 people |url=https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/pais/guimaraes-festas-nicolinas-juntaram-cerca-de-50-mil-pessoas_v1367061 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231192916/https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/pais/guimaraes-festas-nicolinas-juntaram-cerca-de-50-mil-pessoas_v1367061 |archive-date=31 December 2023 |access-date=31 December 2023 |website=RTP (broadcasting) |language=pt}}</ref> Despite the negative opinion in the rest of Portugal about a large gathering of people during the peak of the pandemic, the Social Democratic Party defended the festivities; their vice-president, André Coelho Lima (who hailed from Guimarães), attended the Nicolinas.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 December 2020 |title=Congresso e Festas Nicolinas. PCP e PSD trocam "farpas" sobre cumprimento de regras anticovid |trans-title=Congress and Nicolinas Festivities. PCP and PSD clash over compliance with anti-covid rules |url=https://www.dn.pt/poder/congresso-e-festas-nicolinas-pcp-e-psd-trocam-farpas-sobre-cumprimento-de-regras-anticovid-13102868.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230022959/https://www.dn.pt/poder/congresso-e-festas-nicolinas-pcp-e-psd-trocam-farpas-sobre-cumprimento-de-regras-anticovid-13102868.html |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=www.dn.pt |language=pt}}</ref> In 1905, João de Meira wrote that nothing would prevent the festivities from taking place if there was a single student in the city willing to fight for them.<ref>{{cite web |author=João de Meira |title=Pregão of 1905 |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/uploads/documentos/1905.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250425220806/https://www.nicolinos.pt/uploads/documentos/1905.pdf |archive-date=25 April 2025 |quote=As long as there is a single student in Guimarães, with the strength to play, with soul, with a drum, the Festival will live on, proud and triumphant, and no-one will be able to accompany it to the grave!}}</ref>
=== Novenas === thumb|alt=A white church, with people standing outside|The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição during a Novena on 4 December 2024 The Novenas are a series of nine masses, one celebrated every morning between 29 November and 7 December<ref name="nicolinos.pt">{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Novenas/Matinas |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/79 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204020957/https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/79 |archive-date=4 December 2024 |access-date=3 December 2024 |website=www.nicolinos.pt |language=Pt}}</ref> in the 18th-century Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Capela de Nossa Senhora da Conceição |trans-title=Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição |url=http://www.monumentos.gov.pt/Site/APP_PagesUser/SIPA.aspx?id=1148 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519114528/http://www.monumentos.gov.pt/Site/APP_PagesUser/SIPA.aspx?id=1148 |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=3 December 2024 |website=www.monumentos.gov.pt |language=pt}}</ref> The masses are also known as Novenas de Azurém, for the parish where they are held.
The Nicolinas Novenas are distinct from novenas celebrated elsewhere, celebrating the city's culture more than religion.{{sfn |Carvalho |1956 |pages=103–106}} They began during the 18th century due to the obligation to "hold sung masses every year, on the 7th and 8th of December, by the young chorists of the {{ill|Colegiada de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira|lt=Collegiate Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira|pt}}" dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.<ref name="nicolinos.pt"/>
Participants play the ''Toque Nicolino'' at the Novenas on ''caixas'' and ''bombos''.<ref name="minho" /> One of the two parts of the melody is repeated nine times, one for each day of the festivities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Toque Nicolino – Novenas |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/nicolinas/sons/03-novenas.mp3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204014520/https://www.nicolinos.pt/nicolinas/sons/03-novenas.mp3 |archive-date=4 December 2024 |access-date=3 December 2024 |language=Pt}}</ref>
=== Posses and Magusto === The Posses (possessions), when Guimarães students gather food to distribute, were originally held on 6 December before being moved to 5 and then to 4 December. They begin at 9{{nbs}}pm on 4 December, and only students who are members of the Nicolinas Festivities Committee can participate in the gathering of food; non-members, however, may attend.<ref name="cmg">{{Cite web |title=Posses e Magusto |url=https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/conhecer/evento-49/posses-e-magusto |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224001705/https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/conhecer/evento-49/posses-e-magusto |archive-date=24 December 2023 |access-date=23 December 2023 |website=www.cm-guimaraes.pt |language=pt}}</ref> The Posses procession begins on the Campo da Feira, winds through Guimarães' historic center, and follows a route which stops at houses where the owners have agreed to donate food.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nicolinas – Posses e Magusto |trans-title=Nicolinas – Possessions and Magusto |url=https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/conhecer/eventos/evento-72/nicolinas-posses-e-magusto |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224001703/https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/conhecer/eventos/evento-72/nicolinas-posses-e-magusto |archive-date=24 December 2023 |access-date=24 December 2023 |website=www.cm-guimaraes.pt |language=pt}}</ref>
When the Posses are completed, the Magusto ceremony begins around a bonfire where the students offer the collected food. Chestnuts and wine are traditionally shared, with socializing throughout the night. The Magusto was held at the Toural until 1862, and has been held on Santiago Square since the 1990s.{{sfn |Carvalho |1956 |pages=107–114}} The sharing of goods among students and residents symbolizes the bond between them.<ref name=cmg/>
=== Pregão === thumb|alt=A young man in a suit, waving at a window|The Pregoeiro proclaiming the Pregão at Martins Sarmento High School, 5 December 2023 The Pregão de São Nicolau, popularly known as the Pregão and (previously) the Bando Escolástico, takes place on 5 December.<ref name="www.cm-guimaraes.pt-2">{{Cite web |title=Pregão |url=https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/conhecer/evento-49/pregao |access-date=24 December 2023 |website=www.cm-guimaraes.pt |language=pt}}</ref> During the Pregão, a committee member known as the Pregoeiro proclaims a text at five locations throughout the city center and leaves from the Campo da Feira for the Convento de Santa Clara. After the Pregão is said, he proceeds to Martins Sarmento High School, the Senhora Aninhas House, the Torre dos Almadas, and the Toural.<ref name="www.nicolinos.pt-6" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Festas Nicolinos 2022 – Contejo do Pinheiro, Pregão e Macazinhas em Guimarães |trans-title=Nicolinos Festivities 2022 – Contejo do Pinheiro, Pregão and Macazinhas in Guimarães |url=https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/cmguimaraes/uploads/document/file/19541/5_11_a_6_12_festas_nicolinas.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230013936/https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/cmguimaraes/uploads/document/file/19541/5_11_a_6_12_festas_nicolinas.pdf |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=www.cm-guimaraes.pt}}</ref> The text, usually composed by a committee member, includes criticism of the year's events.<ref name="www.nicolinos.pt-6">{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Pregão |trans-title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Pregão |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/83 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217132957/https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/83 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |access-date=24 December 2023 |website=www.nicolinos.pt |language=Pt}}</ref><ref name="minho">{{cite web |year=2014 |title=As Festas Nicolinas em Guimarães – Propostas de valorização Turístico-Cultural |trans-title=The Nicolinas Festivities in Guimarães – Proposals for tourism and cultural development |url=https://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/bitstream/1822/33819/1/Nuno%20Miguel%20Oliveira%20Pinh%C3%A3o%20de%20Sousa%20Fernandes.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130111527/https://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/bitstream/1822/33819/1/Nuno%20Miguel%20Oliveira%20Pinh%C3%A3o%20de%20Sousa%20Fernandes.pdf |archive-date=30 November 2024 |access-date=24 December 2023 |publisher=University of Minho |language=Pt}}</ref> It often uses satire, irony and sarcasm to criticize politicians, modern life or local affairs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Neves |first=António Amaro |date=8 December 2011 |title=O Pregão de 1854, pelo nicolino Francisco Martins Sarmento |trans-title=The Pregão of 1854, by Nicolino Francisco Martins Sarmento |url=http://araduca.blogspot.com/2011/12/o-pregao-de-1854-pelo-nicolino.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230013935/http://araduca.blogspot.com/2011/12/o-pregao-de-1854-pelo-nicolino.html |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |language=pt}}</ref> The Pregoeiro recites the Pregão at five different locations across the city,<ref name="www.cm-guimaraes.pt-2" />
Documents from 1817<ref>{{cite web |last=Meireles |first=Maria José |title=S. Nicolau – documentos e pregões existentes na SMS |trans-title=St Nicolas – existing documents and tenders at the SMS |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/uploads/documentos/pregoes.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225095254/https://www.nicolinos.pt/uploads/documentos/pregoes.pdf |archive-date=25 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |publisher=Casa de Sarmento |language=Pt}}</ref> mark the Pregão's earliest known occurrence, but earlier proclamations were probably undocumented.<ref name="Silva">{{cite web |last=Silva |first=Lino Moreira da |title=João de Meira, Autor de "Pregões Nicolinas" |trans-title=João de Meira, Author of "Pregões Nicolinas" |url=https://www.csarmento.uminho.pt/site/files/original/f603d3bea6a731bd58d0992817c15c667b8a232c.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225072213/https://www.csarmento.uminho.pt/site/files/original/f603d3bea6a731bd58d0992817c15c667b8a232c.pdf |archive-date=25 February 2024 |access-date=30 December 2023 |publisher=Guimarães Magazine 2012–2013 |language=Pt}}</ref>
Guimarães historian and writer João de Meira wrote the Pregões of 1903, 1904, and 1905.<ref name="run.unl.pt">{{Cite web |last=Castro |first=Hugo |title=Zabumbas e Pancadas: Configurações e Práticas Percussivas Nicolinas |trans-title=Ruffling and Hitting: Nicolinas Percussive Configurations and Practices |url=https://run.unl.pt/bitstream/10362/65551/1/estudo_nicolinas_67_76.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230013935/https://run.unl.pt/bitstream/10362/65551/1/estudo_nicolinas_67_76.pdf |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |language=Pt}}</ref> His contributions established a standard for future Pregões.<ref name="Silva" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=João de Meira, autor de "Pregões Nicolinos" |trans-title=João de Meira, author of "Pregões Nicolinos" |url=https://www.csarmento.uminho.pt/site/s/rgmr/item/98658#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230013935/https://www.csarmento.uminho.pt/site/s/rgmr/item/98658#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0 |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=www.csarmento.uminho.pt |language=Pt}}</ref>
{{quote | text = Boys! Our divine music, is capable of making even Morpheus tremble!<br />The music of the Nicolinas festivities,<br />That shakes the earth and dismantles heaven!…<br />More force, if possible, more ferocious, because nothing is enough!<br /> Let's make such a stubble, such a mockery, that would make this look like hell!... | author = João de Meira | source = The 1904 Pregão, with the first reference to "Nicolinas".<ref name="run.unl.pt"/> }}
=== Maçãzinhas === [[File: Maçãzinhas 2023 1.jpg|thumb|alt=Young women on a balcony, above three long spears|Girls stand on a balcony of a building in Santiago Square while boys below offer apples attached to the tips of spears.]] thumb|Many spear ribbons in Oliveira Square, 6 December 2023|alt=Long poles and many ribbons in a large crowd The Maçãzinhas, previously known as the ''Cortejo das Maçãs'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/arquivo/197 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226200508/https://www.nicolinos.pt/arquivo/197 |archive-date=26 December 2023 |access-date=26 December 2023 |website=www.nicolinos.pt}}</ref> are among the Nicolinas' most iconic festivities. They are held on 6 December, Saint Nicholas Day, the day honoring the central figure of the festivities.<ref name="la">{{Cite web |title=Maçãzinhas |url=https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/conhecer/evento-49/macazinhas |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225133214/https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/conhecer/evento-49/macazinhas |archive-date=25 December 2023 |access-date=25 December 2023 |website=www.cm-guimaraes.pt |language=pt-PT}}</ref>
The Maçãzinhas trace their origin to the Romantic movement, inspired by Romanticism in France, England and Germany.<ref name=minho/> The Maçãzinhas consist of a 3:00 pm procession through Guimarães' streets to Santiago Square, a place with the same name as the Spanish city (Santiago de Compostela) which played a key role in introducing the cult of St. Nicholas to Guimarães.<ref name=la/> The celebration commemorates the cult's roots in the city through its connection with the Romeiros.<ref name=la/> The procession formerly began at Urgezes Casa da Renda, continued through Cruz de Pedra, and ended at the Toural.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maçãzinhas |url=https://em.guimaraes.pt/cultura/geo_evento-86/macazinhas |access-date=30 May 2025 |website=em.guimaraes.pt |language=pt-PT}}</ref>
In the morning, preparations are made for the feast. Boys go to the Oficinas de San José to build and decorate the carts which will be used in the parade.<ref name="la" /> They prepare disguises, put ribbons on their lances, put the lances on poles and find a squire to accompany them.<ref name=la/> The spears and poles are long enough for the boys to reach a balcony.<ref name="nicolinos.pt-2">{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Lanças |url=https://nicolinos.pt/arquivo/470 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230135134/https://nicolinos.pt/arquivo/470 |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=nicolinos.pt}}</ref> The ribbons' colors have specific meanings. Adorned with sayings, symbols, and messages, the ribbons help the boys to choose the right girl to present the spear; if a boy has a particular girl in mind, he uses a larger, pink bow ribbon.<ref name="nicolinos.pt-2" /> Tying a bow with this ribbon symbolically binds them during the festivities. A boy participating in the Maçãzinhas for the first time traditionally uses a white ribbon to honor his mother.<ref name="nicolinos.pt-2" />
The girls gather at Santiago Square and begin preparing for the event, sewing white camellias on capes and placing them on balconies around the square.<ref name=la/> Every girl who has a boy delivering an apple makes an appointment beforehand to save a spot on a balcony.<ref name="la" />
When the boys arrive, Santiago Square is filled with spectators; girls on the balconies wait for the event to begin. The boys (in disguise and accompanied by a helper) begin by placing an apple ({{langx|1=pt|text=maçã}}) on the tip of a spear attached to a long pole, and lift the pole to offer the apple to the girls.<ref name=la/> The girls return the gesture by replacing the apple with a small gift.<ref name=la/> When all the apples are taken, the spear is removed from the pole and offered to the girl chosen by the boy, or given to the boy's mother.<ref name=la/>
Oliveira Square and the Toural have a secondary part in the festivities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maçazinhas realizam-se esta sexta-feira no Largo do Toural |url=https://www.guimaraesdigital.pt/index.php/informacao/cultura/31114-54273 |access-date=30 May 2025 |website=Guimaraesdigital.pt |language=pt-pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Geral |title=VÍDEO: NICOLINAS 2024: "Maçãzinhas" levaram centenas de jovens e curiosos ao Centro Histórico |url=https://www.guimaraesdigital.pt/index.php/informacao/sociedade/90596-video-macazinhas-levaram-centenas-de-jovens-e-curiosos-ao-centro-historico |access-date=30 May 2025 |website=Guimaraesdigital.pt |language=pt-pt}}</ref> The Maçãzinhas preserve courtship customs and attract a number of teens each year.<ref name=la/>
=== Danças de São Nicolau === The Danças de São Nicolau, or Danças Nicolinas (Dances of Saint Nicholas), originated in the 17th century as a way for students to receive donations for student festivities. They were vital to gain enough funds to build the Chapel of Saint Nicholas. The dances were performed in the squares and streets of the city until they were discontinued in 1738.<ref name="www.nicolinos.pt-3">{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Danças de S. Nicolau |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/84 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204025648/https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/84 |archive-date=4 December 2024 |access-date=3 December 2024 |website=www.nicolinos.pt}}</ref> In 1954, a group of old Nicolinos revived the tradition of the dances.<ref name="www.nicolinos.pt-3" /> The dances returned to the Jordão Theatre in 1972,<ref name="www.nicolinos.pt-3" /> the second-most-recent festivity to be adopted by the Nicolinas one year before the Roubalheiras.<ref name="As Festas Nicolinas-2" /> The dances follow themes related to historical and mythical figures such as Afonso Henriques, Mumadona Dias, Saint Nicholas, Minerva and Gil Vicente.<ref name="www.nicolinos.pt-3" />
=== Baile da Saudade === The Baile da Saudade or Baile Nicolino is the last festivity of the Nicolinas, which initially aimed to raise funds for the festivities. The event, a dinner and ball for couples formed at the Maçãzinhas,<ref name="As Festas Nicolinas-2">{{Cite web |title=As Festas Nicolinas, em Guimarães: tempo, solenidade e riso |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/uploads/documentos/Estudo_antropologico_nicolinas.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227000835/https://www.nicolinos.pt/uploads/documentos/Estudo_antropologico_nicolinas.pdf |archive-date=27 December 2023 |access-date=27 December 2023}}</ref> is open to all Guimarães students.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Baile Nicolino |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/85 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102023506/https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/85 |archive-date=2 January 2024 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=www.nicolinos.pt}}</ref>
Baile da Saudade debuted on 30 November 1945 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the resurgence of the Nicolinas. The ball was repeated in 1946 and 1947 at the Jordão Theatre.<ref name="As Festas Nicolinas-2" /> A festivity since 1973, it is the Nicolinas' most recent addition.<ref name="As Festas Nicolinas-2" /> Since 1962, the ball has been held on 7 December at Martins Sarmento High School.<ref name="As Festas Nicolinas-2" /><ref name="minho"/> Prizes are awarded during the ball to former and current committee members.<ref name="minho"/> It may be considered an older example of the North American prom.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baile Nicolino |url=https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/conhecer/evento-49/baile-nicolino |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102023506/https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/conhecer/evento-49/baile-nicolino |archive-date=2 January 2024 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=www.cm-guimaraes.pt |language=pt-PT}}</ref>
=== Roubalheiras === The Roubalheiras (thefts) involve the theft of items ranging from flower pots to cattle. It takes place on a random night between 29 November and 7 December (the length of the Nicolinas), and the night is hidden from everyone except the committee and local authorities.<ref name="As Festas Nicolinas" /> The date of the Roubalheiras changes annually.<ref name="As Festas Nicolinas-2"/>
A note is placed on the spot where the stolen items were, to alert their owners. It assures the item's owners that the disappearance was a part of the Nicolinas (not robbery) and directs them to the Toural, where the stolen possessions are displayed the following day and wait to be retrieved.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2467118926869231&set=pcb.2467121250202332 |access-date=26 December 2023 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref><ref name="As Festas Nicolinas-2" /> The Roubalheiras is organized by the committee, which notifies the local authorities.<ref name="As Festas Nicolinas">{{Cite web |title=As Festas Nicolinas, em Guimarães: tempo, solenidade e riso |url=https://run.unl.pt/bitstream/10362/65633/1/estudo_nicolinas_1_.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227010147/https://run.unl.pt/bitstream/10362/65633/1/estudo_nicolinas_1_.pdf |archive-date=27 December 2023 |access-date=27 December 2023}}</ref>
[[File:Torre dos Almadas (cropped).jpg|thumb|alt=A stone building with white tables and chairs outside|The Torre dos Almadas is the headquarters of the AAELG,<ref>{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Torre dos Almadas |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/96 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228014710/https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/96 |archive-date=28 December 2023 |access-date=28 December 2023 |website=www.nicolinos.pt}}</ref> the Guimarães High School alumni association.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guimarães |first=Mais |date=11 November 2021 |title=Velhos Nicolinos: Qualquer recuo "será uma desilusão" |url=https://maisguimaraes.pt/velhos-nicolinos-qualquer-recuo-sera-uma-desilusao/ |access-date=28 December 2023 |website=Mais Guimarães |language=pt-PT}}</ref>]] The Roubalheiras previously coincided with the Posses on 4 December,<ref name="cmg" /> after the Magusto. The first Roubalheiras took place in 1895 as part of an effort to revive the Nicolinas. It was initially called Rapto das Tabuletas (Kidnapping of the Signs),<ref name="As Festas Nicolinas-2"/> since signs outside shops and restaurants were popular targets of the thefts,<ref name="As Festas Nicolinas" /> but Roubalheiras is now their official name.<ref name="As Festas Nicolinas" /> They are a contemporary adaptation of a tradition in the villages of the Minho region,<ref name="As Festas Nicolinas-2"/> observed on 29 June Dia dos Atrancamentos,<ref name="Neves-2021">{{Cite web |last=Neves |first=António Amaro |date=5 December 2021 |title=As Nicolinas, as Roubalheiras e a Comissão. |url=http://araduca.blogspot.com/2021/12/as-nicolinas-as-roubalheiras-e-comissao.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227000833/http://araduca.blogspot.com/2021/12/as-nicolinas-as-roubalheiras-e-comissao.html |archive-date=27 December 2023 |access-date=26 December 2023 |language=pt}}</ref> in which boys would relocate food, harvest tools and carts to confuse the adults.<ref name="As Festas Nicolinas-2"/>
The Roubalheiras were celebrated intermittently during the 20th century. The festival was abolished in 1905, and was reinstated four years later;<ref name="As Festas Nicolinas" /> it was again abolished in 1912, and revived in 1919.<ref name="As Festas Nicolinas-2"/> After another ban in the late 1920s, the tradition was revived in the 1950s and continued until 1973.<ref name="Neves-2021" /><ref name="As Festas Nicolinas" /> It was again revived in 1994 and has been occurring ever since,<ref name="Neves-2021"/> deterring misuse of the festival as a pretext for illegal activity.<ref name="As Festas Nicolinas-2"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Neto |first=Maria Inês |date=29 November 2020 |title=Folgar rapazes! Folgar, folgar… que só para o ano torna a voltar |url=https://www.revistarua.pt/folgar-rapazes-folgar-folgar-que-so-para-o-ano-torna-a-voltar/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130124224/https://www.revistarua.pt/folgar-rapazes-folgar-folgar-que-so-para-o-ano-torna-a-voltar/ |archive-date=30 November 2024 |access-date=31 December 2023 |website=Revista RUA |language=pt-PT}}</ref>
In 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, it had the highest number of stolen items in Roubalheiras history; pilfered items included a bull and a trailer, backhoe loader and road-paving machine.<ref name="Neves-2021"/> The following year, property included a bull and a goat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dias |first=Rui |date=2 December 2022 |title=Roubalheiras Nicolinas em Guimarães. Além de um touro, até uma cabra foi parar ao largo do Toural |url=https://ominho.pt/roubalheiras-nicolinas-em-guimaraes-alem-de-um-touro-ate-uma-cabra-foi-parar-ao-largo-do-toural/ |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=O Minho |language=pt-PT}}</ref> The variety of stolen items expanded in 2023 and included a goalpost and football bench from the Afonso Henriques Stadium, scooters and bicycles, supermarket trolleys, and a number of gas heaters.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 December 2023 |title="Roubalheiras" coloriram o Largo do Toural esta manhã |url=https://www.jn.pt/581372596/roubalheiras-coloriram-o-largo-do-toural-esta-manha/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227000833/https://www.jn.pt/581372596/roubalheiras-coloriram-o-largo-do-toural-esta-manha/ |archive-date=27 December 2023 |access-date=26 December 2023 |website=Jornal de Notícias |language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Machado Principal |first=Delfim |date=7 December 2020 |title=Nicolinos de Guimarães fazem Roubalheiras de forma simbólica |url=https://www.jn.pt/pais/artigo/nicolinos-de-guimaraes-fazem-roubalheiras-de-forma-simbolica/13114992/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126231647/https://www.jn.pt/pais/noticias/braga/guimaraes/nicolinos-de-guimaraes-fazem-roubalheiras-de-forma-simbolica-13114992.html/amp/ |archive-date=26 January 2024 |access-date=26 December 2023 |website=Jornal de Notícias}}</ref> The number of items in 2024 was smaller, but the theft of animals (including a goat) continued.<ref>{{Cite web |title=VÍDEO: Roubalheiras nicolinas foram na última madrugada |url=https://www.guimaraesdigital.pt/index.php/informacao/sociedade/90500-roubalheiras-nicolinas-foram-na-ultima-madrugada |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204051905/https://www.guimaraesdigital.pt/index.php/informacao/sociedade/90500-roubalheiras-nicolinas-foram-na-ultima-madrugada |archive-date=4 December 2024 |access-date=2 December 2024 |website=Guimaraesdigital.pt |language=pt-pt}}</ref>
== Smaller festivities == === Moinas === thumb|alt=A group of young people with drums, seen from behind|The third Moina of 2023, at the House of the Santoalhas The Moinas, also called Moinas Nicolinas, are rehearsals held every Saturday in November before the 29th (the day of the Pinheiro).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Festas Nicolinas – Book 1 |url=https://www.calameo.com/read/00692436305f1e8439601 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102015740/https://www.calameo.com/read/00692436305f1e8439601 |archive-date=2 January 2024 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=calameo.com |language=en}}</ref> The rehearsals are an opportunity for people intending to participate in the festivities to tune their drums and practice the Toques Nicolinos, particularly the song made specifically for that Moina.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guimarães |first=Mais |date=4 November 2022 |title=Caixas e bombos afinados: Sábados de novembro são sinónimo de Moinas |url=https://maisguimaraes.pt/caixas-e-bombos-afinados-sabados-de-novembro-sao-sinonimo-de-moinas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102015741/https://maisguimaraes.pt/caixas-e-bombos-afinados-sabados-de-novembro-sao-sinonimo-de-moinas/ |archive-date=2 January 2024 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=Mais Guimarães |language=pt-PT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Caixas e Bombos já 'mexem' |url=https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/viver/noticias/noticia/caixas-e-bombos-ja-mexem |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102015741/https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/viver/noticias/noticia/caixas-e-bombos-ja-mexem |archive-date=2 January 2024 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=www.cm-guimaraes.pt |language=pt-PT}}</ref> Attendees at the Moinas usually wear white.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 November 2023 |title=Moina Rehearsal |url=https://esnminho.org/events/moina-rehearsal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102015741/https://esnminho.org/events/moina-rehearsal |archive-date=2 January 2024 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=ESN Minho |language=en}}</ref>
Rehearsals begin at Mumadona Square and end near the Toural Fountain.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Neves |first=António Amaro |date=28 September 2013 |title=Festas Nicolinas |url=http://acfn-festasnicolinas.blogspot.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102015740/http://acfn-festasnicolinas.blogspot.com/ |archive-date=2 January 2024 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=acfn-festasnicolinas.blogspot.com |language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=FPGuimarães |date=23 October 2023 |title=Aproximam-se as Nicolinas e estão confirmados os habituais ensaios e Moinas – FreePass Guimarães |url=https://www.fpguimaraes.pt/aproximam-as-nicolinas-e-estao-confirmados-os-habituais-ensaios-e-moinas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102025818/https://www.fpguimaraes.pt/aproximam-as-nicolinas-e-estao-confirmados-os-habituais-ensaios-e-moinas/ |archive-date=2 January 2024 |access-date=2 January 2024 |language=pt-PT}}</ref> Refreshment stops are made,<ref>{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Moinas |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/77 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=www.nicolinos.pt}}</ref> most notably at the House of the Santoalhas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Geral |title='Moinas' trazem nicolinos para as ruas de Guimarães |url=https://www.guimaraesdigital.pt/index.php/informacao/cultura/51663-moinas-trazem-nicolinos-para-as-ruas-de-guimaraes |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=Guimaraesdigital.pt |language=pt-pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Neves |first=António Amaro |date=30 November 2010 |title=Festas Nicolinas |url=http://acfn-festasnicolinas.blogspot.com/2010/11/ |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=acfn-festasnicolinas.blogspot.com |language=pt}}</ref>
=== Dízimo de Urgezes === thumb|alt=A basket being lowered from a wall to waiting students|2024 Dízimo de Urgezes ceremony The Dízimo de Urgezes (Tithe of Urgezes), is held on 4 December.<ref name="Dízimo de Urgezes" /> Originally held on 6 December,<ref name="Dízimo de Urgezes" /> according to an 1823 contract it involves a tradition of giving food to singers and students in the parish of Santo Estêvão de Urgezes:<ref name="urgezes"/> "two hundred apples, half a bag of roasted lupin beans, half a bag of roasted walnuts, two bushels of roasted chestnuts, two barrels of wine and two dozen large bales of paínça straw". Today, tithing involves money and food.<ref name="www.nicolinos.pt" />
The festivity was first documented in 1717: "the dízimo of Urgezes will satisfy the Students of the Lord S. Nicolau, for their day, the portion to which he is obliged with all good satisfaction, as is the use and custom and has always been".<ref name="www.nicolinos.pt">{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/arquivo/125 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225161252/https://www.nicolinos.pt/arquivo/125 |archive-date=25 December 2023 |access-date=25 December 2023 |website=www.nicolinos.pt}}</ref> Urgezes customs were a forerunner of the Posses festivity.<ref name="urgezes" /> An 1832 decree banned Dízimo de Urgezes, and it was abolished by a Porto Court of Appeal decision after an appeal filed by the Cabido da Colegiada.<ref name="urgezes">{{Cite web |title=História – Junta Freguesia Urgezes |url=https://freg-urgezes.pt/freguesia/historia/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228224803/https://freg-urgezes.pt/freguesia/historia/ |archive-date=28 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |language=pt-PT}}</ref> The event was restored by the [Urgezes ''junta de freguesia'' (parish board) on 30 October 1999.<ref name="Dízimo de Urgezes">{{Cite web |title=Dízimo de Urgezes – Junta Freguesia Urgezes |url=https://freg-urgezes.pt/dizimo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225161253/https://freg-urgezes.pt/dizimo/ |archive-date=25 December 2023 |access-date=25 December 2023 |language=pt-PT}}</ref>
The Dízimo de Urgezes ceremony is based on a symbolic offering, traditionally money and foodstuffs, by the Junta de Freguesia of Urgezes to the committee. After a speech, a committee member is ceremoniously lifted by the others to retrieve a basket with that year's tithe which is lowered from the balcony of the Junta de Freguesia building by its president.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DÍZIMO DE URGEZES – Junta Freguesia Urgezes |trans-title=TITHE OF URGEZES – Local Assembly Urgezes |url=https://freg-urgezes.pt/2024/12/03/dizimo-de-urgezes/ |access-date=12 June 2025 |language=pt}}</ref>
== Cultural elements == === Monument === thumb|alt=A red, cape-shaped sculpture|The Monumento ao Nicolino in 2014 The Monumento ao Nicolino (Nicolino Monument), honoring the Nicolinos, is next to Santos Passos Church and near the pine tree raised during the Pinheiro.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monumento Nicolino – O que saber antes de ir (ATUALIZADO 2024) |url=https://www.tripadvisor.pt/Attraction_Review-g189174-d15887140-Reviews-Monumento_Nicolino-Guimaraes_Braga_District_Northern_Portugal.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102153213/https://www.tripadvisor.pt/Attraction_Review-g189174-d15887140-Reviews-Monumento_Nicolino-Guimaraes_Braga_District_Northern_Portugal.html |archive-date=2 January 2024 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=Tripadvisor |language=pt}}</ref> Planned since 1993, it was approved by the City Council in 1999 but faced cancellation in 2002.<ref name="www.nicolinos.pt-4">{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Monumento Nicolino |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/91 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109005610/https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/91 |archive-date=9 January 2024 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=www.nicolinos.pt}}</ref> The project was revived on 19 July 2007 with {{euro|40000}} in funding,<ref name="www.nicolinos.pt-4" /> and was scheduled for inauguration on 29 November<ref>{{Cite web |last=Portugal |first=Rádio e Televisão de |date=22 November 2007 |title=Festas Nicolinas com inauguração de escultura-monumento da autoria de José de Guimarães |trans-title=Nicolinas festivities with inauguration of sculpture-Monument by José de Guimarães |url=https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/cultura/festas-nicolinas-com-inauguracao-de-escultura-monumento-da-autoria-de-jose-de-guimaraes_n163434 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102153211/https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/cultura/festas-nicolinas-com-inauguracao-de-escultura-monumento-da-autoria-de-jose-de-guimaraes_n163434 |archive-date=2 January 2024 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=rtp.pt/ |language=pt}}</ref> to coincide with the start of the 2007 Nicolinas; after construction delays, the monument was dedicated on 25 January 2008.<ref name="www.nicolinos.pt-4" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gouveia |first=Silvia Pereira E. Beatriz |date=25 January 2010 |title=Nicolinas: Monumento nicolino |url=http://reportagem-nicolinas.blogspot.com/2010/01/monumento-nicolino.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102153211/http://reportagem-nicolinas.blogspot.com/2010/01/monumento-nicolino.html |archive-date=2 January 2024 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=Nicolinas}}</ref>
Created by local plastic artist José de Guimarães,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bibliotecas DRCN |url=https://biblioteca.culturanorte.gov.pt/Catalogo/winlibsrch.aspx?skey=503FB04FCD974475ACD1EA25A6335B86&pesq=5&thes1=43588&label=Guimar%25u00e3es%2C%20Jos%25u00e9%20de&cap=2&nohist=true&doc=25047 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102153212/https://biblioteca.culturanorte.gov.pt/Catalogo/winlibsrch.aspx?skey=503FB04FCD974475ACD1EA25A6335B86&pesq=5&thes1=43588&label=Guimar%25u00e3es,%20Jos%25u00e9%20de&cap=2&nohist=true&doc=25047 |archive-date=2 January 2024 |access-date=2 January 2024}}</ref> the monument symbolizes a fluttering cape, once an element of the academic attire worn by committee members.<ref>{{cite web |title=Largo da República do Brasil |url=https://www.visitguimaraes.travel/descobrir-guimaraes/centro-urbano/largo-republica-do-brasil/geo_artigo/largo-da-republica-do-brasil |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102153211/https://www.visitguimaraes.travel/descobrir-guimaraes/centro-urbano/largo-republica-do-brasil/geo_artigo/largo-da-republica-do-brasil |archive-date=2 January 2024 |access-date=2 January 2024}}</ref>
=== <span class="anchor" id="Typical costumes"></span>Costumes === thumb|Committee students in Traje de Trabalho during the Pregão opening ceremony|alt=Five young men, arms raised, wearing white shirts, black pants and orange caps Two costumes are worn for the Nicolinas: Traje Académico and Traje de Trabalho. The costumes, conceived in the 16th century, were introduced as the festival's traditional garments at the end of the 19th century.<ref name="www.nicolinos.pt-5">{{Cite web |title=Arquivo: O Traje Nicolino |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/arquivo/482 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230122700/https://www.nicolinos.pt/arquivo/482 |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=4 April 2025 |website=www.nicolinos.pt}}</ref>
The Traje Académico is worn by current or former committee members. It is a black overcoat with satin bands and pleats at the back, fastened with three buttons; each sleeve has three buttons near the cuff. Accompanying the overcoat is a plain black waistcoat without lapels. The trousers are straight-cut with pockets, worn with a simple black belt. Black shoes, with or without laces, are worn with plain black socks. A black cape has clasps on the collar and is usually worn folded over the left shoulder or draped over an arm or shoulder. For special occasions, a collared shirt is worn; a necktie is replaced by a black bow tie (or a white one during the Pregão for the Pregoeiro) and white gloves. Bracelets, earrings, piercings, or rings are discouraged.<ref name="www.nicolinos.pt-5" />
The Traje de Trabalho, worn by Nicolinas attendees, is a variation of the Traje Académico which consists of black trousers, black shoes, a plain white shirt, a {{ill|Tabaqueiro scarf|lt=Tabaqueiro scarf|Pt|Lenço de Alcobaça}}, and a red-and-green hat similar to a Phrygian cap.<ref name="www.nicolinos.pt-5" />
=== Logo === The logo of the Nicolinas is a Nicolino (festival participant) dressed in Traje de Trabalho,<ref>{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – O Traje Nicolino |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/arquivo/482 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230122700/https://www.nicolinos.pt/arquivo/482 |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=www.nicolinos.pt}}</ref> raising a drumstick in the air. It was designed by Gomes Alves and António Augusto Correia during the mid-1950s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Símbolo |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/arquivo/672 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230121524/https://www.nicolinos.pt/arquivo/672 |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=www.nicolinos.pt}}</ref>
== <span class="anchor" id="Candidature for Intangible World Heritage"></span>Intangible cultural heritage candidacy == The Nicolinas were proposed as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage (ICH) candidate during the 2000s and 2010s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Património Oral e Imaterial da Humanidade |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/90 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227000833/https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/90 |archive-date=27 December 2023 |access-date=26 December 2023 |website=www.nicolinos.pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Moreira da Silva |first=Lino |title=Nicolinas a "Património Oral e Imaterial da Humanidade" |url=http://pdftn.no.sapo.pt/NicolinasaPatrimonioHumanidade.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613035038/http://pdftn.no.sapo.pt/NicolinasaPatrimonioHumanidade.pdf |archive-date=13 June 2013 |access-date=26 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Candidaturas a Património Cultural paradas há três anos |trans-title=Cultural Heritage applications stalled for three years |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/uploads/documentos/JN-%2014-01-18.pdf |language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Guimarães: Festas Nicolinas querem ser Património Imaterial – Correio do Minho |trans-title=Guimarães: Nicolinas parties want to be Intangible Heritage-Correio do Minho |url=https://correiodominho.pt/noticias/guimaraes-festas-nicolinas-querem-ser-patrimonio-imaterial/89786 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231192917/https://correiodominho.pt/noticias/guimaraes-festas-nicolinas-querem-ser-patrimonio-imaterial/89786 |archive-date=31 December 2023 |access-date=31 December 2023 |website=correiodominho.pt |language=pt}}</ref> The initial application followed an exhibit of materials related to the Nicolinas which included photographs of the 2000 Nicolinas by José Bastos and an oil painting by Paulo Varregoso Mesquita.<ref name="nicolinas.net">{{Cite web |title=Novidades |trans-title=News |url=http://www.nicolinas.net/novidades.php#132 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070520071457/http://www.nicolinas.net/novidades.php#132%23132 |archive-date=20 May 2007 |access-date=26 December 2023 |website=nicolinas.net |language=Pt}}</ref> Projections showcased photographs of aspects and motifs of the centuries-old festivities. The visual presentations also included brief texts about "Nicolinas as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity".<ref name="nicolinas.net" /> The event was a "gateway to a remarkable cause", and the Tertúlia Nicolina association distributed bookmarks promoting recently-published books about the festival.<ref name="nicolinas.net" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Património Oral e Imaterial da Humanidade |trans-title=AAELG – Velhos Nicolinos – Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/90 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204174655/https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/90 |archive-date=4 December 2024 |access-date=3 December 2024 |website=www.nicolinos.pt |language=Pt}}</ref>
The idea to nominate the Nicolinas began with a 2005 paper by University of Minho professor Lino Moreira da Silva and a motion by politician André Coelho Lima. The festival has been waiting since December 2016 for the Direção-Geral do Património Cultural (DGPC) to proceed with its application for inscription on the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage,<ref name="matrizpci.patrimoniocultural.gov.pt" /> the first step in applying for ICH status.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dias |first=Rui |date=8 December 2023 |title=Nicolinas aguardam há sete anos por decisão da Direção-Geral do Património Cultural |trans-title=Nicolinas have been waiting for seven years for the decision of the Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage |url=https://maisguimaraes.pt/nicolinas-aguardam-ha-sete-anos-por-decisao-da-direcao-geral-do-patrimonio-cultural/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405173441/https://maisguimaraes.pt/nicolinas-aguardam-ha-sete-anos-por-decisao-da-direcao-geral-do-patrimonio-cultural/ |archive-date=5 April 2025 |access-date=5 April 2025 |website=Mais Guimarães |language=pt}}</ref>
In a December 2024 interview, Moreira da Silva (author of several books on the Nicolinas and a key figure in the festival's ICH candidacy) said that the Nicolinas' preservation is "in danger"{{snd}}not of disappearing, but of degradation. According to Moreira da Silva, younger people are negatively influencing aspects of the celebrations which do not interest them.<ref name="Ribeiro-2024">{{Cite web |last1=Ribeiro |first1=José Luís |last2=Silva |first2=Esser Jorge |date=December 2024 |title=Lino Moreira da Silva: "Deixou de se falar em Unesco e Festas Nicolinas" |trans-title=Lino Moreira da Silva: "We've stopped talking about Unesco and the Nicolinas Festivities" |url=https://jornaldeguimaraes.pt/noticias/deixou-de-se-falar-em-unesco-e-festas-nicolinas-era-isto-que-se-pretendia/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405171406/https://jornaldeguimaraes.pt/noticias/deixou-de-se-falar-em-unesco-e-festas-nicolinas-era-isto-que-se-pretendia/ |archive-date=5 April 2025 |access-date=5 April 2025 |website=jornaldeguimaraes.pt |language=Pt}}</ref> He said that many view the festivities simply as an occasion to drink and have fun, which is acceptable only if the Nicolinas' original meaning and cultural significance are maintained; excessive alcohol consumption, ''praxe'', and the exclusion of women from the committee may deter future candidacies.<ref name="Ribeiro-2024" /> In April 2025, the president of the Portuguese Cultural Heritage Institute expressed interest in submitting a new application for the Nicolinas to be recognized as an intangible cultural heritage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Geral |date=4 April 2025 |title=Presidente do IPC quer ver as Nicolinas inscritas no inventário do Património Cultural Imaterial |trans-title=President of the IPC wants to see the Nicolinas inscribed in the inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage |url=https://www.guimaraesdigital.pt/index.php/informacao/cultura/92580-presidente-do-ipc-quer-ver-as-nicolinas-inscritas-no-inventario-do-patrimonio-cultural-imaterial |access-date=4 April 2025 |website=Guimaraesdigital.pt |language=pt}}</ref>
== See also == * Saint Nicholas Day
== References == {{reflist}}
== Bibliography == {{Refbegin}} * {{cite book |last=Araújo |first=Francisco Miguel |title=Pelos trilhos biográficos de João de Meira (1881–1913) |date=2013 |publisher=Sociedade Martins Sarmento |language=pt |trans-title=By the Biographical Trails of João de Meira (1881–1913)}} * {{Cite book |last1=Carvalho |first1=A. L. de |url=https://issuu.com/velhos_nicolinos/docs/al_de_carvalho |title=O S. Nicolau dos Estudantes |publisher=Oficinas de São José |year=1956 |edition=2nd |location=Guimarães |language=pt |trans-title=Saint Nicholas of the students |access-date=2 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202224950/https://issuu.com/velhos_nicolinos/docs/al_de_carvalho |archive-date=2 December 2024 |url-status=dead |via=Issuu}} * {{Cite book |last1=César Gonçalves |first1=Paulo |title=Manual (Para um pequeno) Nicolino |last2=Cunha |first2=Gabriela |publisher=Minhografe |isbn=978-989-20-7058-2 |edition=2nd |location=Guimarães |publication-date=2016 |language=pt |trans-title=Manual (for a little) Nicolino}} * {{Cite book |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/pdf/velhos25.pdf |title=Os 'Velhos' |publisher=Tipografia Minerva Vimaranense |editor-last=Dantas |editor-first=António |location=Guimarães |publication-date=8 December 1920 |language=pt |trans-title=The 'Old ones' |access-date=30 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226130625/https://www.nicolinos.pt/pdf/velhos25.pdf |archive-date=26 December 2023 |url-status=live}} * {{cite book |last=Monteiro |first=Hernâni |title='Prof. João de Meira' in História do ensino médico no Porto:suplemento |date=1925 |publisher=Enciclopédia Portuguesa |language=pt |trans-title='Prof. João de Meira' in History of Medical Education in Porto}} * {{cite book |last=Pimenta |first=José Ramiro |url=https://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/bitstream/1822/7138/2/Pimenta%20JR%20_2007_%20O%20Lugar%20do%20Passado.pdf |title=O Lugar do Passado em Martins Sarmento. Geo-historiografia do programa de investigação arqueológica da *Cultura Castreja (1876–1899) |publisher=University of Minho (PhD Thesis) |year=2007 |trans-title=The Place of the Past in Martins Sarmento. Geo-historiography of the archaeological research program of Cultura Castreja (1876–1899) |access-date=30 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327055224/http://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/bitstream/1822/7138/2/Pimenta%20JR%20_2007_%20O%20Lugar%20do%20Passado.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2024 |url-status=live}} * {{cite book |last=Pimenta |first=José Ramiro |title=O Lugar do Passado em Martins Sarmento |publisher=Figueirinhas |year=2008 |location=Porto |language=pt |trans-title=The Place of the Past in Martins Sarmento}} * {{Cite book |last=de Alcântara Santos |first=Manuela |url=https://www.nicolinos.pt/uploads/documentos/Sob_o_signo_de_S.Nicolau.pdf |title=Sob o signo de S. Nicolau |publisher=Alberto Sampaio Museum |year=1994 |location=Guimarães |language=pt |trans-title=Under the sign of St. Nicholas |access-date=30 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224001705/https://www.nicolinos.pt/uploads/documentos/Sob_o_signo_de_S.Nicolau.pdf |archive-date=24 December 2023 |url-status=live}} * {{cite book |last=Vasconcelos |first=Manuela |title=Alguns vultos do Movimento Espírita Português |language=pt |trans-title=Some figures from the Portuguese Spiritist Movement}} {{Refend}}
== External links == {{commons category}} * [https://www.nicolinos.pt/arquivo/187 The Pregões declaimed between 2000 and 2019 (in Portuguese)] * [https://www.nicolinos.pt/uploads/documentos/pregoes.pdf A list of the Pregões from 1817 to 1996, their writers and their reciters] * [https://www.nicolinos.pt/s/94 Books and documents about the Nicolinas (in Portuguese)] * [https://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/bitstream/1822/33819/1/Nuno%20Miguel%20Oliveira%20Pinh%C3%A3o%20de%20Sousa%20Fernandes.pdf University document that covers many places and traditions of Guimarães] * [https://www.nicolinos.pt/uploads/documentos/Estudo_antropologico_nicolinas.pdf Anthropological study of the Nicolinas (in Portuguese)] {{Guimarães}}
Category:Religious festivals in Portugal Category:Guimarães Category:Saint Nicholas