In a year marked by the threat of an ubiquitous virus, many parties across the country have been canceled or severely limited. It is in this shade that this weekend the Pinheiro stands in Guimarães, a sign of the start of the Nicolinas parties. On the night of November 29th to 30th, Pinheiro travels around the city, pulled by oxen, followed by a procession led by the Chief of Bombs. The students, young and old, make the touch of Pinheiro heard, drumming in the boxes and attacking the drums, at the rhythm set by the Chief and his “doll”. Thousands of people follow the show. In 2020 there will be none of this. The Pinheiro will be placed at the top, in the usual place, without courtship, out of the public eye, outside the foreseen night and at a time that few know, for the sake of public health.
The Nicoline Festivals, however, are more than just the number of Pinheiro, as explained to O MINHO the president of the Association of Former Students of Liceu de Guimarães / Velhos Nicolinos, José Ribeiro.
José Ribeiro. Photo: Facebook
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How did the “Old Nicolinos” set up their headquarters in Torre dos Almadas, in the heart of the Historic Center?
At the end of the fifties, the Association of Former Students of Liceu de Guimarães was created, now known as “Velhos Nicolinos”, which included, at that time, only high school students, unlike what happens today that covers all secondary schools. The purpose of this association was to give a guarantee that the parties would never end, because there were years when the parties were interrupted. As the people who were part of this association were the so-called “living forces” of the city, linked to political, economic and religious power, at the time, they asked for this Torre dos Almadas to set up the headquarters. The house was abandoned and, it is easy to see that, due to the power they had, it was not difficult for them to get. Since then, the headquarters has been there.
What is the purpose of this Association of Old Nicolinos?
This association has activities throughout the year, bringing together all members. We have, active, around fifteen hundred associates. There are a series of activities during the year, most of them go unnoticed, but always with the purpose of uniting the Nicoline family, bringing together Nicolinos. There were times when he also had the function of helping the most needy students with scholarships. Even today, the association awards prizes to the best students in secondary education. Today, the social support part doesn’t make much sense, because there are other types of institutions that are dedicated to these problems, but for many years it was an important function. Then there is one of the numbers of the Nicolinas Festivals, the Danças de São Nicolau, which have always been organized by older Nicolines. It is a number that takes a lot of work and requires patience, which young people sometimes lack.
Nicolinas Festivities 2019. Photo: CM Guimarães / Press Release / Archive
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In the Danças de São Nicolau, did José Ribeiro play D. Afonso Henriques for many years?
I have been playing D. Afonso Henriques for over 20 years. This year he would be 22 years old. I was preceded by José Maria Magalhães, a great Nicolino who passed away recently. He was the charismatic Afonso Henriques of the São Nicolau Dances. José Maria Magalhães played D. Afonso Henriques for the first time in 1972/73, however, the Dances only reappeared in 1983 and Magalhães was Afonso Henriques until the moment he decided to pass the sword and decided to pass it. it to me.
Is it the role of a lifetime?
I am a completely amateur actor, once a year, like 90% of the people who participate. What makes me feel more proud is to contribute to the continuity of a nicolino number and the responsibility to have been endorsed to me by who it was.
How is the interaction between the commission each year, the young Nicolines, and the “Old Nicolinos”? Do they use the Almadas Tower to gather?
This is excellent at the moment. In the recent past, there have been some problems, but this is not the case now. They use the Tower of Almadas whenever they wish, although they have another seat, provided by the Chamber. This place does not have the same facilities as the Tower and, therefore, it is here that they meet permanently. Our support is very important, because they are kids aged 16, with a great responsibility on their backs.
From the moment the Commission is elected, its great task is to raise funds for the Holidays. Isn’t it always going to be easy?
They are elected in the last week of September and the big challenge is through the pedestals to collect funds for the Holidays. Today’s peduncles have been extended outside the municipality, reaching Fafe, for example. They grew up like the Festivals themselves. Peditories are part of the mystique. If by chance there was a year when there was no need to ask for a ticket, the students would be sad. Pinheiro costs a lot of money, oxen cost thousands of euros, you have to get a lot of money. But that is never a problem.
Nicolinas Festivities 2019. Photo: CM Guimarães / Press Release / Archive
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Today Nicolinas took on a dimension that goes beyond the importance it has for students, is it a cultural brand of the city and a tourist emblem?
Yes No doubt. The Festivals, today, especially the Pinheiro, are an event in the city that has already surpassed its walls. The Chamber is aware of this importance and therefore supports it. See the weight of the Pine Day for restoration in the city and even in the municipality.
There was talk of the possibility of classifying the Nicoline Festivals as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, however, this was somewhat overshadowed because at one point it was said that they call for excessive alcohol consumption. How do you view these criticisms?
The study book that talks about it will be released on December 4th. It would be the day for the number of Posses, however, as this year will not happen, it was decided to launch the book. An initiative of the City Council. For me it is a great heartbreak when Nicolines are associated with alcohol. It is true that, in the year the study was carried out, there were some excesses at Commission meetings and this had to be reversed. But, we have to understand that we are talking about young people. In addition, we are here in an area where alcohol is part of all popular festivals.
And women, today they demand an equal status in all aspects of life in society. How is their role in Nicolinas?
Women have always played a key role in Nicolinas. The procession of Pinheiro before the 25th of April did not take new students, only old students went. Things have now evolved, not only opened up to new students but also to women. I would say that in the Pinheiro parade, today, they are half. Then there are figures that, due to their shape, imply a different participation of men and women. Maçazinhas, for example, only make sense if the boy is going to offer the apple to the girl who waits at the window that he previously decorated. Nicolinas are all dedicated to the woman they love.
Pinheiro is today the most well-known number of the Festivals, but it was not always like that, was there a time when it was different?
Yes, but it is necessary to back off a lot. Today, it is the dimension of the Pine parade that gives greatness to the Nicoline Festivities. The reunion that takes place that night is very important, with people who went to school in Guimarães returning to the city to see friends. Pinheiro, in fact, it wasn’t even a number of parties, he announces the beginning of the parties. How, for that Minho outside, in many places, a mast rises to announce the parties. Nowadays it has won the status of a number of the Festivals and, I would say, many of the people who participate in this day are not even aware of what Nicolinas are as a whole.
Nicolinas started out being for an elite. They were reserved for high school students and, before April 25, those who wanted to go to high school did not go to school. How did the democratization of the Nicoline Festivals take place?
Commercial and industrial schools taught up to the fifth year and those were excluded, the high school gave the seventh year and the possibility of continuing studies for the university. Only those who attended high school participated in Nicolinas. After the 25th of April, with the unification of teaching, it did not make sense to keep Nicolinas in the Martins Sarmento Secondary School (as the high school started to be called). I have many colleagues who went to the Industrial School who could not hear about Nicolinas, because they could not participate.
Was democratization peaceful, or were there people who resisted?
It was gradual and peaceful. In 1982, a protocol was signed between all schools to become part of it. After April 25, the high school continued to be predominant, but when it was necessary to take the step it was easy. Of course, the high school continued to contribute more, for some years, but now that is completely outdated.
What will be of the Nicoline Festivities in this special year that we are experiencing?
Nicolinas will suffer like other emblematic parties for that country. Of course, Guimarães lives things more aggressively. For the population the main concern is not the numbers of the parties, it is Pinheiro. Of course, this is not the case for the Commission.
And what will happen to Pinheiro?
What we want is for people to stay at home. The Chamber and the police are not going to make it easy for anyone who wants to approach. There will be no procession, the pine tree has already been cut and will be placed in the usual place, at an unspecified time, outside the night. At most, the Commission will be there. A purely symbolic moment.
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