Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) is coming to town

Monika
Nov 1, 2015
3 min read

Is it 5th December yet? Or october maybe end of August..hmmm I know it is confusing, let me explain.

Sinterklaas originally would come on the 6th December in the early morning, nowdays, the Dutch celebrate it in the evening before. ( I guess it is mainly for convinient reasons, so the whole family can get together and enjoy the presents, snacks, loads of candy and the funny poems)

The interesting thing is that Sinterklaas exists in other countries as well, also in Hungary (where Etelka and I come from). It has different backgrounds, transportation..not mentioning the presents and the traditions around him. But his looks is almost everywhere the same.

I meantioned August, which is yes, a half year before the actual celebration...but still, you can spot the special unmissable Sinterklaas treats and decorations in the stores already. Why do I think is that? Because it is maybe the most important celebration in The Netherlands, and between August and December there is nothing else to look forward to. Especially for the little ones. They are busy with their wishlists, learning the cheerful songs they can sing for him and cannot wait to attend the entrance (intocht) of the lovely man with the long white beard. His arrival is a very big deal, mostly for families with little children. He arrives via the sea on the first Saturday after 11 November, according to the legend: from Spain with a steamboat. This year it was on the 15th of November. I attanded (first time in my life after living 4,5 years in Holland...shame on me) his entrance, and he and his lovely company did not disappoint. :) His long journey on the sea with the famous steamboat ended at the Maritime Museum (Scheepvaartmuseum), which is 8 minutes walk from our house. There he stepped over to his majestic white horse and did his same old route around the city of Amsterdam. In the meantime his helpers were entertaining the crowd and handed candies over the little ones, who were patiently waiting in the pouring rain to see the lovely old man. Usually they are well prepared with a little plastic bag or a basket to collect the "pappernuts" (pepernootjes). They really deserved it, because it was cold and wet, and the olda man was late...and I had a hard time not to complain to my friend, who travelled all the way from Budapest, Hungary, just for this event. But I loved it, and I cannot wait to share this experience with my kids one day.

Sinterklaas is a very Dutch tradition which nowdays creates mixed feelings and controversy all around Holland and outside. Why? Because Sinterklaas has a helper called Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) who is a blackfaced guy (usually dressed in very bright colours and wearing a pet and big golden earrings) the old bearded man's servant. There are people who are trying to pursui the government to remove the -according to them- racist Zwarte Piet from all of the celebrations in Holland. Against the ones who are trying to keep the tradition alive.

It is a very complicated issue and I am not here to judge. I am here to inform, and just think it is a fact worth mentioning.

Most importantly what it means to me; I love this celebration (and if you get the chance to get a authentic peek in, I would say, do it! With or without kids) and cannot wait to get together with my in-laws and have a warm evening filled with yummie smells, and treats, lovely traditions and laughter.