Ever heard of Sinterklaas? Most readers, probably never even heard of it. Sinterklaas is a tradition in Belgium on the 6th December where they commemorate Saint Nicolas who brought two children back to life. The story goes that a butcher slaughtered his two children to sell them as meat and that Saint Nicolas felt so much pity for them that he brought them back to life. That's why on the 6th of December, children are put in an extra special daylight what most children also really look forward to.
The celebration of Saint Nicolas these days is a happening that takes a certain period. It all starts two or three weeks before the 6th of December, when Saint Nicolas arrives with his loyal helper Zwarte Piet (whose skin is black as the night and dressed in colourful clothing) on a steamboat from Spain. There will be a parade which has been shown on television for the last 10 year or so. From that time until the 5th of December children from all over the country start writing letters to Saint Nicolas. The Belgian post will carefully read the tons of letters and reply back to the children with a letter from Saint Nicolas and also with a small present. Finally on the night of 5th and 6th December Saint Nicolas will visit all the children when they are asleep and bring them a present. Of course, just like with Santa Claus, often it's the parents who buy the present and say it's from Saint Nicolas. The children not only receive a present, they will also receive oranges, chocolate and speculoos. Both have often the shape of Saint Nicolas or a theme that has to do with Sinterklaas. After the 6th of December Saint Nicolas goes back to Spain with his helper Zwarte Piet, to come back the next year. This will also be shown as a parade on television. After the 6th of December, most children are already looking forward to the next Sinterklaas and try to imagine what their next present will be.
The Sinterklaas tradition does resemble a bit of the Santa Claus tradition. Just as Santa Claus it brings joy to the children who have behaved well and the bad children won't get any presents. However, the legend goes that if the children behaved badly, Zwarte Piet will put them in his bag and take them away to Spain as a punishment. Maybe this is a way to teach children that it is important to be good in life. Who knows?
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Ever heard of Sinterklaas? Sinterklaas is a tradition in Belgium on the 6th December where they commemorate Saint Nicolas who brought two children back to life. The legend goes that a butcher slaughtered his two children to sell them as meat and that Saint Nicolas felt so much pity for them that he brought them back to life. That’s why on the 6th of December, children are put in an extra special daylight to remember the miracle the holy man did.
The celebration of Saint Nicolas itself is on the 6th of December, however before the actual celebration day there is a small pre-celebration. It all starts two or three weeks before the 6th of December, when Saint Nicolas arrives with his loyal helper Zwarte Piet (whose skin is black as the night and dressed in colourful clothing) on a steamboat from Spain. There will be a parade of his arrival which has been shown on television for the last 10 year or so. Around that time until the 5th of December children from all over the country start writing letters to Saint Nicolas. The Belgian post will carefully read the tons of letters and reply back to the children with a thank you letter and a small gift from the good Saint. Finally on the night of the 5th and the 6th of December Saint Nicolas will visit all the children when they are asleep and bring them a present. The children not only receive a present, they will also receive oranges, chocolate and speculoos (which is a kind of cookie mainly made of brown sugar). Both the chocolate and speculoos have often the shape of Saint Nicolas or a theme that has to do with Sinterklaas. All this of course is not given by the real Saint Nicolas, but rather by the children’s parents. After the 6th of December Saint Nicolas goes back to Spain on his steamboat with his helper Zwarte Piet, to rest and to come back again the next year. There will also be a parade on television. After unwrapping the presents on the 6th of December, most children are probably already looking forward to the next Sinterklaas and trying to imagine what their next present might be.
The Sinterklaas tradition is sometimes confused with the Santa Claus tradition. Just as Santa Claus it brings joy to the children who have behaved well and the bad children won’t get any presents. However, the Sinterklaas tale goes that if the children behaved badly, Zwarte Piet will put them in his bag and take them away to Spain as a punishment. Maybe this is a way to teach children that it is important to be good in life.