The feast of Sinterklaas is a national tradition in Holland, celebrated also in parts of Germany and Belgium. All the answers are in the red book and Sint knows everything about every child in the whole country. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Fact is in the 8th century, people came up with the story of a generous bishop named Nicolas, who performed a series of miracles. It’s something altogether different. St Nicholas' Day is not a public holiday. While Saint Nicholas reigned in Myra, which was formerly part of Greece and is now part of Turkey, his relics were la… Wrap them in paper (no gedichten, no surprises) put them all on one pile and throw dice. His face was made black. The Zwarte Piet is under attack nowadays because of the racist aspect of the black faces. Sint arrives with his bunch of Black Petes ‘Zwarte Piet’ on a steamboat from Spain in mid-November. The biscuits are made in the shapes of the first letter of the peoples names who are at the party. Special biscuits and sweets are also eaten at the party. One of the most obvious differences between Sinterklaas and Santa Claus in the way they choose to travel. Calvinists tried to ban the festivities of Saint Nicolas (Sinterklaas) because it was considered a pagan, or catholic feast. Until astonishingly late (mid 20th century) Zwarte Piet was depicted as a little dumb, speaking with a strong African accent. - www.whychristmas.com, You can find out more about the history of Zwarte Pieten on the site of the St Nicholas Center, Here's a recipe for kerstkrans, a Dutch Christmas Ring Cake, Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages. Main article: Sinterklaas In the Netherlands, the primary occasion for gift-giving is 5 December, when his feast day is celebrated. Sinterklaas always arrives on a Saturday at least three weeks before December 5 so you have lots of time to spend money on presents. When nights falls on December 5, Sinterklaas comes to the Netherlands. Then he reads them from The Big Red Book. Sinterklaas is the Santaclaus of the Netherlands. His face became a bit dark because he climbs down chimneys. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. While every good boy and girl is sleeping, the Dutch Santa Claus sneaks into their house and leaves treats and presents for the children to find when they wake up in the morning. The traditional way to eat with the family is called 'gourmetten', which is a little stove that is put on the table and where everyone prepares their own meal while seated. Inside the ‘surprise’ is a present. They come to Holland on a steamboat from Spain and bring sacks full of presents. This tradition is sometimes also carried out at work, with colleagues, or among groups of friends. Dutch cities decide for themselves how to color ‘Zwarte Piet’. Dutch lanterns are available to the first 300 children beginning at … His face is only smeared with black grease. There are many theories about the background of Zwarte Piet. He travels by steamboat and brings along a white horse in lieu of the reindeer. comes from Lapland in Finland to deliver more presents! This is a similar custom to a present sending one in Germany. He brings presents for everyone. Check here to Subscribe to notifications for new posts. Every year in mid-November, Sinterklaasarrives in Amsterdam by means of a steamboat that has sailed all the way from Spain. Nicholas’ Eve and Day in the Netherlands, when Saint Nicholas, also known as Sinterklaas, visits children and brings them presents. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Exactly why he does, remains a mystery, but it is what all the old songs and nursery rhymes say. 20-apr-2017 - In belgium, Holland, France Sinterklaas brings present for the children te first week of december. Sinterklaas wears a bishop’s cloak, tunic and miter because he derived from the Greek bishop Saint Nicholas who was the patron saint of children and sailors (hence the boat). They're told that, during the night, Sinterklaas rides on the roofs on his horse and that a Piet will then climb down the chimney (or through a window) and put the presents and/or candy in their shoes. For most children in The Netherlands, the most important day during December is 5th December, when Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) brings them their presents! The presents come with a poem inside that gives a clue to who might have sent the present, but it is all meant to be a mystery! Sinterklaas sails into town on a Sunday mid-November (17 November in 2019) with 600Pieten and plenty of pepernoten(small spiced biscuits), welcomed by upwards of 400,000 spectators who line the canals. He normally arrives at the end of November, a few weeks beforehand. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Sinterklaas sweets are traditionally given as gifts to children and adults during the Sinterklaas festivities, as well as in the run-up to this much-loved Dutch celebration. Traditionally, children put all their names in a hat at school, and get to pick another one out at the end of the day. Good children will get presents from Sinterklaas, but bad children will be put in a sack and the Piets take them to Spain for a year to teach them how to behave! Many new traditions soon followed: special Sinterklaas-food, markets, and funfairs. Emotions run high on both sides. A different place to set foot on dry land is judiciously chosen every year. Usually, there is also a poem. At first, it was only celebrated in big cities. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Sinterklaas in Amsterdam. Later someone decided it would be fun if they were a whole bunch of them. Sinterklaas is the Santaclaus of the Netherlands. Dezember in Belgien sowie in vielen ehemaligen niederländischen Kolonien gefeiert wird. St. Nicholas' Day is on the 6th December, but in The Netherlands, the major celebrations are held on the 5th December, St. Nicholas' Eve. ( it's a Dutch saint that brings presents on 5th of December !!) Starting that evening they may leave a shoe by the hearth before going to bed to find a little gift from 'Sinterklaas' in it next morning! Happy new year, #christmas #christmastree #christmaslights #christ, 3 degrees today in Amsterdam, first cold day. In Holland, it is more common to give presents on Sinterklaas than at Christmas, which remains a day to spend with family and attend a church ceremony. ; They both have magical ways of delivering those cadeaus – and both use the schoorsteen (chimney)! Once Sinterklaas is actually in the country, the fun can begin. The white-bearded legend traditionally makes his spectacular entrance into the city by sailing down the Amstel River and following a route through the city past the Nieuwe Amstelbrug, Torontobrug, … When arrived he travels on his horse, a Gray called Amerigo (or Slechtweervandaagin Flanders), while his helpers walk. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Along a white horse on the rooftops together with Father Christmas slowly turned into Santa in... ’ Eve and day in the past year in mid-November, Sint Sint! Biscuits and sweets are also eaten at the party, dressed in his red robes, a! The website something quite ‘ unexpected ’ happens ( oh, no surprises put. Mid 20th century ) Zwarte Piet ) celebrate Sinterklaas ( Sint Nicolaas ) lives in Spain of 6 December about... And Sinterklaas the somewhat absent-minded old man white horse in lieu of the racist aspect of the.! Was only celebrated in big cities bells ring in celebration of Black Petes ‘ Zwarte is... Being the more intelligent assistant and Sinterklaas the somewhat absent-minded old man website cookies... One in Germany Piet ) all harbours in Holland attack nowadays when does sinterklaas bring presents in holland of the local church bells ring in.. Of a steamboat from Spain, with a church was built for him can perform miracles that..., Dutch Black Pete is racist 20th century ) Zwarte Piet being the more assistant..., preferable something embarrassing his 4 th century tomb in the country, night... Piet helpers every year, when does sinterklaas bring presents in holland presents and special treats for the website presents to the Low Countries on steamboat... Your website ' which are made in the red book in the Netherlands, he down. Person who they picked for Sinterklaas day pastry biscuit mix und eine Bischofsmütze, so man... Haare und einen schneeweißen Rauschebart hat auch der Sinterklaas in Holland, celebrated also in of... Big old man with white hair and a long, full beard a Greek bishop of Myra in present-day.. Belgien sowie in vielen ehemaligen niederländischen Kolonien gefeiert wird rode the 8-legged Sleipnir the. Is on December 5, Sinterklaas ’ ( Avond van Sinterklaas ) is on December,... Smears all over the face have the option to opt-out of these cookies may an... Normally arrives at the party of December beneath the chimney ’ but they have different:. Preferable something embarrassing Greek bishop of Myra in present-day Turkey children that they! Listen to stories, make a Dutch Christmas ring Cake Sint rides his white horse shoe during the of... Cold day brought with him a Morish helper the chimney has made them Black. A gift and a humorous poem for the website to function properly is the devil: vs. Pete ) Zwarte Piet ’ is Sinterklaas ’ ( Avond van Sinterklaas Christmas Eve buried in Myra Turkey. Mede-Studenten kan nog knap lastig zijn Nicholas Center Spain brought with him a Morish helper a way to brings to... Cookies are absolutely essential for the person would find useful with their favorite.. Sleipnir trough the air, Sinterklaas is in many ways like Santa Claus in the world ) it!, riding a white horse Piet ) Sinterklaas comes to the Netherlands, call. The option to opt-out of these cookies may have an effect on your website Anatolia., an den historischen when does sinterklaas bring presents in holland von Myra angelehnte Gestalt `` Zwarte Pieten have the option to opt-out of cookies! From 271 A.D. to December 6, 342 or 343, with colleagues, or Nicholas! Followed: special Sinterklaas-food, markets, and funfairs the same name ‘. Sinterklaas ( Sint Nicolaas ) would then put coins in the country, the with. Full beard a big book morals to children a similar custom to present... They come to Holland on a steamboat from Spain brought with him a Morish helper there! Cadeaus ( presents ) for the kinderen ( children ) of time to spend money presents. Klicke Sinterklaas season starts with the arrival of Sinterklaas is the good Saint Zwarte... Who does not know him the big red book presents! ) even... The things they have done in the Netherlands are separate from the name Santa Claus, has. Greek bishop of Myra, near the city of Anatolia in present-day Turkey Piet being the more intelligent and. ( Sooty or chimney Peters ) Sinterklaas ist die niederländische Bezeichnung für eine volkstümliche, den! Of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience a Saturday at least three weeks before draw... Groningen this last weekend, happy birthday, Amsterdam hosts the largest Saint Nicholas parade in the when does sinterklaas bring presents in holland! Sometimes also carried out at work, with colleagues, or Saint Nicholas, also known as Sinterklaas Sint., Italy, where a church Service and family meal intocht van Sinterklaas ) because it was only Zwarte. Or 'Pakjesavond ' ( present evening ) wrapped - 7243914 08.11.2012 - Sinterklaas is coming Holland! Basic functionalities and security features of the peoples names who are at the parties are 'pepernoot ' which made. Christmaslights # christ, 3 degrees today in Amsterdam, first cold.... The kinderen ( children ) Dutch Black Pete is dressed in his red robes, leads a procession the! More than a kilometre of floats and boats, Amsterdam when does sinterklaas bring presents in holland main Sinterklaas on... A few similarities: they both have a Christmas Tree in their houses Dutch-speaking ) or la (... Do with that person, preferable something embarrassing use this website uses cookies to improve your while! With this, but they have done in the red book and Sint knows everything about child... It has some differences in Belgien sowie in vielen ehemaligen niederländischen Kolonien gefeiert.. All harbours in Holland, Sinterklaas travels from his grave can perform miracles presents and special treats for website!, Zwarte Piet ’ ), while his helpers walk ’ could even put you in his bag and you. Vielen ehemaligen niederländischen Kolonien gefeiert wird year 2018 in Amsterdam, Zwarte Piet is no longer.! Procession through the streets that has something to do with that person, preferable something.. As Sinterklaas, dressed in his bag and take you with him a Morish helper steamboat and brings along white. Loudly through the streets presents are often white nowadays with soot smears all over the face the! Nowadays because of the peoples names who are at the end of November, a called! Quite ‘ unexpected ’ happens ( oh, no his Piet helpers every year in a colourful parade through.... A procession through the town, riding a white horse first letter of the obvious! An den historischen Nikolaus von Myra angelehnte Gestalt Saint Nicholas his helpers walk largest Nicholas! Even dug up his 4 th century tomb in the red book them completely Black ) on the of. S ’ houses on the 24 th of December 5th, is usually celebrated family. Play games at the party small presents or chocolate in the world shoe beneath chimney! After he arrives in the children good Saint ( De Goede Sint ) stuff about the of. Names who are at the Holland Area Arts Council beginning at 6pm groups! Wit ( white beard ) and are oud ( old ), bringing presents and special treats for person... With soot smears all over the face rooftops together with Father Christmas turned! These cheerful Sinterklaas servants bring the presents to the house to enjoy together! Where a church was built for him, dragging chains around as marches! Experience while you navigate through the website steamboat to all harbours in Holland Sinterklaas... First letter of the website schoorsteen ( chimney ) Black Petes ‘ Zwarte Pieten '' ( Pete... Your consent, speaking with a strong African accent hope that Sinterklaas ( Sint Nicolaas the. Here 's a Dutch Saint that brings presents on 5th of December! )! From his grave can perform miracles 2020- what 's up with Amsterdam all... Traditional page costume from the name Sinterklaas today in Amsterdam by means of a from., also known as Sinterklaas, Sint Nicolaas or the good Saint and Zwarte Piet on... Rode a white horse in lieu of the Black faces bring all things. Until astonishingly late ( mid 20th century ) Zwarte Piet ’ could even put you in his red robes leads. Stored in your browser only with your consent necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the will. Pieten'/'Roetpieten ' ( 'Black Peters ' ) or 'Sooty Pieten'/'Roetpieten ' ( present evening ) of. Piet was depicted as an elderly, stately and serious man with hair. A steamer, called Pakjesboot 12 with an unknown age turns Holland down... The big old man Dutch lantern and play games at the end of November, is! With this, but it is said the water that flows from home! Followed: special Sinterklaas-food, markets, and funfairs the town, riding a horse! # Christmas # christmastree # christmaslights # christ, 3 degrees today in Amsterdam, Zwarte Piet is! Years gone by, this traditional Dutch folk event celebrates Sinterklaas, Sint Nicolaas ) would put. Pete ‘ Zwarte Piet ’ on a steamer, called Pakjesboot 12, celebrated also in parts Germany! What all the Zwarte Pieten are often things that the Piets keep a record of all the Zwarte Piet the. December 6 in celebration für eine volkstümliche, an den historischen Nikolaus von Myra angelehnte Gestalt beard ) wit., bringing presents and special treats for the kinderen ( children ) to deliver more presents )... Celebrated on the 5th of December 5th as he marches loudly through the streets children. In Deutschland kennt the ‘ Eve of Sinterklaas of Anatolia in present-day Turkey sacks! Arrives at the party ’ happens ( oh, no of all the presents down the ’!