December 7, 2008

• Sinterklaas

  Before moving to Holland I didn't know much about Sinterklaas or what the Dutch tradition actually entailed, but after having lived the month-long event, I realize that I quite like this aspect of the Nederlandse cultuur.

  It all began a few weeks ago, when Sinterklaas arrived in The Hague with his Zwarte Pieten (Black Petes) on a boat from Spain.  The children, happily hoisted atop the sturdy shoulders of their dads, sang traditional Sinterklaas songs while the Black Pete assistants threw candy and pepernoten (small spice cookies) into the crowds. Finally, there was a huge parade up and down the "Fred"--a main street just a few steps from our front door--where the entire population of The Hague seemed to merge into a mass of childlike wonder.

  During the following weeks, Sinterklaas visited schools, hospitals and could occasionally be found wandering around the city centre. However, the most prominent characters of this holiday were the Zwarte Pieten (the special elf-equivalent helpers of Sinterklaas), for they could be found all around town randomly throwing candy at children and parading around the streets playing trumpets and trombones. Kind of hilarious, especially with such silly outfits and painted faces:

  

  Between the November arrival and the 5th of December (Sinterklaasavond--or the evening when everyone opens gifts), children place a wooden shoe with a carrot or some hay (for Sinterklaas's horse) in front of the fireplace before bedtime in hopes of finding their offering replaced by a small toy or chocolate treat in the morning.  Quite a clever idea if you really think about it, as it allows parents (and teachers!) three full weeks of Sinterklaas bad behavior blackmail. I'm only slightly ashamed to admit that I removed my cell phone from my purse on two different occasions at school last week in order to call Sinterklaas with an "update" on certain badly behaved children in my class.  Too bad I'll have no make-believe characters to use for bribing purposes once Christmas is over. Because it's going to be a long time before the lapin de Pâques arrives...

  Finally, December 5th arrived and what a long and exciting day we had at school!  We dressed the entire maternelle up in brightly-colored collars and Zwarte Piet hats in order to look the part for Sinterklaas and to, later in the day, visit les papis et mamies at the retirement home down the street.

  Here are a few of my little Zwarte Pieten:

  

  

  And, finally, a video of the little ones performing "Zwarte Piet." Dutch is suddenly a wonderful, magical language when little kids are singing it.

  Now, on to Christmas!

  • 9:31 am
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