Basically, Sinterklaas is a Dutch tradition in which Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) arrives by steamboat from Spain on November 14 marking the start of the holiday season. For the three weeks leading up to December 5th, children leave their shoes out for the Sinterklaas and the Zwarte Piet to leave snopes for them. Snopes, in essense, are treats...usually sweeties. The Zwarte Piet are Santa's black slave helpers. Politically incorrect, I should say so. The legend goes that the Zwarte Piet have black faces from the soot in the chimneys. Of course in this day and age, there are controversies over the white men with painted black faces (literally!), but the dutch still do it. I sort of shake my head and am happy that my kids are still young enough that a lot goes over their heads...
Sinterklaas arriving by boat
Sinterklaas and a Zwarte Piet parading through downtown
We stood in the pouring rain on November 14 to see Sinterklaas arrive.Katie's smile says in all!
Saint Nicholas' Eve (December 5) is tomorrow so there is alot of excitment in the air. The evening is called "sinterklaasavond" or "pakjesavond" ("presents evening"). Katie has been learning about the traditions, holiday songs and making all sorts of crafts at school. Today, Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Piet made a visit to the primary school. The kids were going bonkers!! I stayed with Andrew for a bit to watch...he was, well, confused.
For me, it is a lot to take in. Katie is right on the edge of understanding what should and should not occur... thanks to school and her friends. So Ned and I are sort of muddling through what we are "supposed" to do. So far so good.
So, tonight Sinterklaas delivers toys to the good girls and boys. Check. Got it.
The kids leave treats for Sinterklaas and his trusted horse Amerigo. Check. Got it.
Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Piets sneak down the chimneys (or through doors) and leave a sack of presents for the good girls and boys. Check. Got it.
Purchase a traditional pastry "Roomboter Amandelletter" to share with the family. Check. Got it.
You probably see many similarities... the tradition of celebrating Saint Nicholas, who on his Dec. 6 birthday gave out presents to the poor rather than receiving them, probably gave rise to Santa Claus. Here they typically refer to Santa Claus as Father Christmas, or Kerstman. Saint Nicholas day is celebrated, in different ways, in many parts of Europe.
Next step...wrapping.
It is fun to immerse ourselves in the culture. Despite the confusion, it is a lot of fun.
Sinterklaas gefeliciteerd! (Happy Sinterklaas!)
Katie singing Zwarte Piet. (in Dutch)
If you want to learn more, you can read about it at:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,594674,00.html
