Largest traditional dance costume

The largest traditional dance costume measures 8.01 m x 5.32 m x 8.01 m (26.27 ft x 17.45 ft x 26.27 ft), achieved by Associação Cultural Recreativa e Social de Teivas (Portugal), in Teivas, Portugal, on 20 September 2020.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Cultural, Recreational and Social Association of Teivas (Associação Cultural Recreativa e Social de Teivas) was forced to cancel its annual Cavalhadas procession, during which the traditional Morgadinha dance is performed each year. This parade is centuries old, reportedly dating back to 1653, with some historians citing the early Brazilian carnivals as a possible influence for the colourful costumes worn during the Morgadinha dance. It is always performed on the Sunday before St. John’s day.

In order to keep the tradition alive, and to honour their culture so that it is not forgotten by future generations, the organisers decided to attempt a Guinness World Records title and create an outsized version of the traditional Morgadinha dresses worn during the dance. With support of the Municipality of Viseu, the dress was completed after 56 days of work from volunteers and local seamstresses.

During the construction process, 166 m of fabric was used, as well as 10 m of tape, 75 m of ribbon and 4000 red beads! The outsized dress was supported by an internal metal frame and placed in the town plaza for locals to view, before being moved into a local shopping centre.