Here are some things I’ve learned about Sinterklaas and his little helper Zwarte Piet (Black Pete). They arrived in Holland this weekend via boat (this was played on TV for all to watch). Now every night there is a little show for the kids to watch of Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet getting ready for their BIG day in NL, December 5th. Apparently someone is especially forgetful and prone to making mistakes and Sinterklaas ends up saving the day. December 5th is the day the team delivers treats and gifts to all the good children. This is also the day that they will punish all naughty children. I especially like this part! Punishment is getting kidnapped and carried off in a sack to their homeland of Spain. I wouldn’t mind getting carried away to Spain, but apparently that is a dreadful punishment here. Spain is apparently where Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet dwell out of season.
Zwarte Piet really isn’t a black person, he is dark because he slides down the chimney for Sinterklaas and deposits the gifts in people’s shoes waiting by the hearth.
Apparently in the olden days people would dress up as Zwarte Piet and walk across the rooftops of the village, even across the top of the cathedral! This has now been banned for safety reasons much to the dismay of people that used to get to participate and watch the rooftop walks.
Zwarte Piet is all over town. He is in lots of shop windows, costumes are for sale for children to wear on December 5th and you can even buy cakes that look just like him.
Here is a link to watch Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet on youtube…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OERF6ytyRbM&NR=1&feature=fvwp
I will be sure to take lots of pictures on the big day.
Zwarte Piet really isn’t a black person, he is dark because he slides down the chimney for Sinterklaas and deposits the gifts in people’s shoes waiting by the hearth.
Apparently in the olden days people would dress up as Zwarte Piet and walk across the rooftops of the village, even across the top of the cathedral! This has now been banned for safety reasons much to the dismay of people that used to get to participate and watch the rooftop walks.
Zwarte Piet is all over town. He is in lots of shop windows, costumes are for sale for children to wear on December 5th and you can even buy cakes that look just like him.
Here is a link to watch Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet on youtube…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OERF6ytyRbM&NR=1&feature=fvwp
I will be sure to take lots of pictures on the big day.
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