What will be next for this ever-evolving character? It would be wise, in our thinking, to do away with the black-face and simply call them jesters, or just Piets, making it clear that all can be St. Nicholas’ helpers. According to a story from the Legenda Aurea, retold by Eelco Verwijs in his 1863 monograph Sinterklaas, one of the miraculous deeds performed by Saint Nicholas after his death consisted of freeing a boy from slavery at the court of the "Emperor of Babylon" and delivering him back to his parents. Sinterklaas is a beautiful and educational picture board book for toddlers and preschoolers. The modern story of Sinterklaas, including Zwarte Piet’s character are attributed to Jan Schenkman, an Amsterdam-based teacher from the nineteenth century. Your email address will not be published. Dutch colonists later brought the story of Sinterklaas to the American colonies in the 17th century. Sinterklaas, Kapoentje (Saint Nicholas, my dear one) Zie Ginds Komt de Stoomboot (Look, here comes the steamboat) Sinterklaas, Goed Heilig Man (Saint Nicholas, Good Holy Man) Hoor de Wind Waait de Bomen (The wind keeps blowing) Hoor Wie Stapt Daar Kinderen (Someone is coming, children) St. Nicholas Center All rights reserved, (Access requires free registration and allows access to ten articles a month), Zwarte Piet and Cultural Aphasia in the Netherlands. Get enchanted with the story of how Sinterklaas became Santa Claus, performed by master storyteller Jonathan Kruk. This virtual program will feature vignettes filmed at Boscobel with Hudson… Sinterklaas then leads a procession through the town, riding a white horse. But when RTL changed their Piet’s to an actual soot Piet all hell broke out in little Holland. Background and Development. The tradition of Sinterklaas comes all the way from the Netherlands, brought by Dutch settlers who arrived in Rhinebeck over 300 years ago. New Amsterdam Travel Video- Sinterklaas is a big holiday in The Netherlands, especially for children. Dutch tradition says that he lives in Madrid, Spain, and every year he chooses a different harbor to arrive in Holland, so as many children as possible get a chance to see him. He travels with his servant called Zwarte Piet (Black Peter). Sinterklaas, also known as Saint Nicholas, is dear to the hearts of Dutch children. Since then, this iconic character has transformed into the right jolly old elf now known as Santa Claus. In The Netherlands, Santa Clause, the character developed from the historical figure (or some say legend) Saint Nicholas, is celebrated separately from the traditional Christmas holiday. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The picture book “Het verhaal van Sinterklaas”, or The story of Sinterklaas, is a part of the classic picture book series “Gouden Boekjes”, or Golden Books. Public attitudes in the Netherlands in support of traditional blackface Zwarte Piet have shifted from 89% in 2013 to just 47% in June, 2020. Sinterklaas is a traditional European figure based on Saint Nicholas.Sinterklaas is associated with the giving of gifts in early December in many areas of European countries, such as France, Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg, as well as territories of the former Dutch empire.. Sinterklaas is one of the earliest representations of the character who became what we know today as Santa Claus. The story about Sinterklaas’ helper using the chimney and therefore being black is an often heard argument to support that his black skin has nothing to do with racism. The Sinterklaas Movie Be sure to buy a Star! The Feast of Sinterklaas is observed in Netherlands on December 6th but begins on December 5th during St. Nicholas’s Eve where people give out gifts especially to the children. Because Zwarte Piet would hit naughty children with his “roe” (bundle of birch twigs) and Sinterklaas would put them in a gunny bag, the so called “zak van Sinterklaas”, to take them with him to Spain. If he has gone to Amsterdam that year he will to meet the Queen in the Palace. Contrary to the American Santa Clause coming from the North Pole with his reindeer; the Dutch Sinterklaas comes from Spain on a boat with a group of black servants, the Black Petes (“Zwarte Pieten”). Spain is also not that bad. Sinterklaas (also called Sint Nicolaas) is a traditional Winter holiday figure in Dutch-speaking Europe (The Netherlands and Flanders), and is also well known in the former Dutch colonies. He is depicted as an elderly, stately and serious man with white hair and a long, full beard. The English-speaking colonists in America adopted the story, calling Sinterklaas " Santa Claus ." No mention is made of the boy's skin color. Required fields are marked *. During this lengthy time, the tradition has evolved from this black servant character being primarily responsible for discipline into a fun-loving, joking sidekick to the more … He died on December 6th, so his life is commemorated as the Feast of Sinterklass on December 5th and 6th. She eventually discovered the story of Sinterklaas, a Dutch Christmas tradition that celebrates children. Follow this character from his introduction in 1850 through the 20th century and into the 21st with the growth and intensifying protests that raised increasing questions about black-face and racism. Luxembourg’s Version Is Even Worse. Also included are some Dutch recipes and the popular Sinterklaas songs. In colonial times, children believed in Sinterklaas, a dour, gift-giving bishop on a horse. Dutch colonists later brought the story of Sinterklaas to the American colonies in the 17th century. Seven Dutch Sinterklaas Songs With English translation, mp3 files, and music to print. He travels with his servant called Zwarte Piet (Black Peter). We encourage the St Nicholas tradition and its revival in our time, while abhorring the imagery of these characters. Top 5 New Year’s Resolutions You Can Fulfill on a Holland America Line Cruise, Entertainment, Drinks & Dinner: Celebrate New Year’s Eve At Home With Holland America Line, Photo Album Celebrating Grandparents Day and Family Cruising, Celebrating King’s Day – A Traditional Dutch Holiday, Five Amazing Holland America Line Cruises You Should Take in 2020, Facebook Fans Share Their 2020 Travel Resolutions, Holland America Line Ships are Decked to the Hulls for the Holidays, Favorite Holiday Dishes, Traditions and Entertaining Tips from our Culinary Council. A Dutch Village exclusive, this booklet tells the history of Sinterklaas, Zwarte Piet, and his special day. These illustrated articles help explain who Zwarte Piet is and how he is changing. When Sinterklaas and Black Peter come ashore from the boat, all of the local church bells ring in celebration. When Sinterklaas and Black Peter come ashore from the boat, all of the local church bells ring in celebration. Here it is: On the morning of St. Nicholas’ Day, Sinterklaas travels to a city or town in The Netherlands, wearing his red bishop’s robes. Children are told that Zwarte Piet keeps a record of all the things they have done in the past year in a book and that good children will get presents from Sinterklaas, but bad children will get chased by Zwarte Piet with a stick!! Paperback. On December 5th children leave clogs or shoes out to be filled with presents. He does not need, and should not have, violent and frightening sidekicks for comparison. Changes in policy for images on social media sites, more retailers banning blackface goods, and more cities using just Chimney or Sooty Piets all indicate more widespread cultural change. Nicholas Exhibit, Copyright © 2002–2021 The 10-minute movie tells the compelling story of Frog’s invitation to be the Honored Animal of 2020 and lead the Sinterklaas Parade, but his appearance had to be postponed due to the cancellation of this year’s event. *St. Nicholas Center joins with the St. Nicholas Society, taking a position that does not condone nor wish to perpetuate in any way customs that include characters with a dark side, such as the horrific Austrian Krampus. Should the Dutch keep Santa’s popular blackfaced pal, Black Pete? 2020 has seen significant changes following the Black Lives Matter protests around the world. Where Dutch Racism Lurks: Why I Changed My Mind About Black Pete, 4 reasons to reject the racist Dutch tradition of Zwarte Piet, A New Holiday Tradition for the Dutch: Arguing About Blackface, The Dutch don’t think it’s racist for Santa to have black slaves, Raising Racists? They also believe that if they leave some hay and carrots in their shoes for Sinterklaas’s horse, they will be left some sweets. The Meertens Institute says the first intocht van Sinterklaas, or the arrival … Saint Nicholas went through many transformations in America: Sinterklaas became Santa Claus, and instead of giving gifts on December 6, he became a … The arrival of Sinterklaas. Sinterklaas and his helpers (Zwarte Pieten) travel from Spain to … Sinterklaas is celebrated on December 5. St Nicholas is a symbol of good and good alone. Every town in Holland has a few Sinterklaas helpers, dressed the same as Sinter Klaas who help give the presents out. Every year he is celebrated in The Netherlands, one day before Saint Nicholas died (5 December) and on (6 December) in Belgium. Sinterklaas, the patron of children and sailors, finds a welcoming community in the Mid-Hudson Valley as we re-create … It is the story of Sinterklaas that the modern celebration of Santa Klaus is based. Who is this character that inspires both love and antipathy? In his satirical 1809 “History of New-York,” Washington Irving portrayed St. … He is a robed, white-bearded man who visits good children on December 5 to lavish them with gifts. The English-speaking colonists in America adopted the story, calling Sinterklaas “Santa Claus.” For Dutch people, december 5 is sacred: it's the day they celebrate Sinterklaas. Using photographs of the Sinterklaas story, the different parts of the story are shown, from a steamboat to the typical Dutch Candy that's eaten during Sinterklaas: pepernoten. Historically, Sinterklaas was a ‘boogeyman’ to scare children into behaving, and he did not have any helpers. Now with changing views on liberal upbringing, these threats are not anymore part of the story. 14 pages. On the morning of St. Nicholas’ Day, Sinterklaas travels to a city or town in The Netherlands, wearing his red bishop’s robes. He wears a long red cape or chasuble over a traditional white bishop's alb and a sometimes-red stole, dons a red mitre and ruby ring, and holds a gold-coloured crosier, a long ceremonial shepherd's staff with a fancy curled top. We just think everyone should know the story of St. Nicholas. Rediscovering my Dutch childhood tradition, This Sinterklaas Season Too, Black Pete Stays (Mainly) Black, 5 Years of Monitoring Blackface in the Market: ERIF Sinterklaas Brand & Product Study 2020. St. Nicholas Future at VTSSt. We hope that St. Nicholas will be accompanied by necessary helpers needed for practical reasons, but suggest that these helpers have no real significance in the overall celebration. © 2021 Holland America Line Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sinterklaas is based on the historical figure of Saint Nicholas (270–343), a Greek bishop of Myra in present-day Turkey. They brought Sinterklaas with them to New World colonies, where the legends of the shaggy and scary Germanic gift bringers also endured. But the naughty children, as the Sinterklaas story goes, get Zwarte Piet — a dark-skinned figure who follows Sinterklaas around on his trips. The Feast of Sinterklaas Saint Nicholas was born in the 3rd century to wealthy parents in the Patara region, Greek at the time, but currently in Turkey. According to the local legend in Netherland… The Dutch Zwarte Piet has become over time a more benign figure, but he, too, still presents serious difficulties. St Nicholas was a real person who inspired Santa Claus. “A few … The real St Nicholas was the … The story goes… According to the story, hundreds of Zwarte Piets live with Sinterklaas in his castle in Spain and prepare gifts for all children who have been good. To celebrate December 5, the Dutch St. Nicholas holiday, Netherlanders gather for parades … But … Why is he now such a controversial figure? His helper and best friend is Black Peter. Sinterklaas is a legendary figure from Netherlands who is based on Saint Nicholas, a 4th century Greek Christian Bishop from ancient Greece. Yesterday we published a post about the Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas, yet we should have also posted the history. He spent his life by giving away his wealth to the poor and doing good deeds. Your email address will not be published. Where did he come from? Support the good St. Nicholas! However, according to enar-eu.org the soot conception started when Suriname migrants arrived in the Netherlands; Black Pete was usually considered the black servant of Sinterklaas, but the story was ‘modernised’ once immigrants from Suriname and the Dutch Carribean began to arrive in the Netherlands. This is the celebration where children are transformed into Kings and Queens and honored as the bringers of the light at the darkest time of year. According to the Dutch Sinterklaas story and traditions, Sinterklaas lives in Spain and every year he comes to Holland, where he arrives in a different city or town, so all the children get a chance of meeting Sinterklaas in real life. St. Nicholas. He can be recognized by his eye-catching red cape with red miter and his long white beard. This story has been updated to reflect the latest news. Stories of Sinterklaas were likely brought to the New World by Dutch settlers in the Hudson River valley. With this booklet, you can answer the question "what is his horse's name?" The saintly man … The story of Sinterklaas has been celebrated throughout Europe since the Middle Ages. In this version of the holiday tale, written by children’s book author Sjoerd Kuyper and illustrated by Emanuel Wiemans, Sinterklaas doesn’t travel in on a steamboat or have Black Piets as his helpers. 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