December 6th is Saint Nicholas Day.
Saint Nicholas was a real person who lived around the 4th century and is the origin of Santa Claus.
In the Netherlands, Saint Nicholas is called Sinterklaas, and everyone celebrate Sinterklaas on December 5th.
Sinterklaas, a culture not found in my country, Japan. But in the Netherlands, Sinterklaas is more popular than Santa Claus.
Sinterklaas comes from Spain in November. He is going to visit schools and hospitals, then return to Spain on December 6th.
When Sinterklaas comes to the Netherlands in November, there are big parades in every town.
Who is Sinterklaas?
In the Netherlands, it is said that Sinterklaas was a priest who came from Turkey and was very kind to children.
Sinterklaas has long white hair and a beard, and wears a red cape over a traditional white vestment.
He rides a white horse and is accompanied by his squire called Zwarte Piet.
The big red book that Sinterklaas is holding records the children’s behavior for a year.
Children who do good deeds will receive presents, and bad children will be packed in a bag and taken away to Spain…
Sinterklaas Parade
More than a month before Santa Claus arrives, Sinterklaas comes from Spain to the Netherlands on a steamship.
A parade is held on the day Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands.
The Sinterklaas parade are held in cities in the Netherlands on the first Saturday (or Sunday) after November 11th.
Parade in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s Sinterklaas parade starts at the canals in the morning.
The canal parade begins with joyful music, and children run after the slowly sailing parade boats. And the father run after the children. This is the heartwarming sight of the canal parade.
A grand parade is held on the downtown street in the afternoon.
When the parade begins with music, the joyous voices of children echo.
First comes Zwarte Piet and they entertain children with clown-like pantomimes.
Zwarte Piet, who has a big bag, gives out the small biscuits in the bag to the children. Small biscuits called Pepernoot are traditional biscuits eaten on Sinterklaas day.
When Sinterklaas appears, the children shout “Sinterklaas!”
The main event for the children is high fives with Sinterklaas. All the children raise their hands and waiting for Sinterklaas to give them a high five.
The Sinterklaas parade is like a children’s festival. It’s a day when children dress up in Sinterklaas and Zwart Piet costumes and run around town.
