Sinterklaas: 5 December

Although 5 December is not an official holiday in the Netherlands, many parents traditionally leave work early so that they can celebrate 'pakjesavond' (evening when presents are given) with their children. Presents are ingeniously wrapped, and are therefore called surprises. Traditionally these presents are accompanied by a poem penned by St. Nicholas.

In the weeks leading up to 5 December, Dutch schools, shops and neighbourhood associations organise all kinds of festivities including the appearance of Sinterklaas and a few of his helpers (Zwarte Piet, or Black Pete).

While Sinterklaas has its roots in the Christian world (St. Nicholas was bishop of Myra in present-day Turkey), it's celebrated by nearly all families in the Netherlands regardless of their ethnic background. It's hard not to get swept up in the (merchandising) hype!

Who is Sinterklaas?

Every November children in the Netherlands eagerly await the arrival of Sinterklaas. Sinterklaas or Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of children and, for as long as the Dutch can remember, he travels from Spain to the Netherlands to celebrate the name day of St. Nicholas here.

Because he brings presents to all children, he is often compared to Father Christmas and Santa Claus. Unlike Father Christmas, however, he does not travel on a sleigh pulled by reindeer – oh no! Saint Nicholas’ preferred means of transport is a large steamboat (to make the journey from Spain to the Netherlands) and his horse called Americo (to visit all the cities, towns and villages in the Netherlands).

While pakjesavond is the main family celebration with poems and surprises, children often set out their shoe by the fireplace at night along with a bowl of water and a carrot for Americo. Often they'll wake in the morning to find a little gift in their shoe and the water and carrot mysteriously gone.

Sinterklaas in The Hague

Sinterklaas always makes a grand entrance in The Hague, arriving by steamboat in the Scheveningen Harbour and then parading through the city with his entourage of black-faced helpers called Zwarte Pieten. Along the way they dole out traditional sweets and small cookies called pepernoten to enthusiastic children standing along the route.

The holiday comes complete with a whole battery of songs, which are taught in the schools as well (and piped through every store's sound system for several weeks). There is even a special Sinterklaas news programme for children: www.sinterklaasjournaal.nl, which is broadcast daily in the weeks prior to Sinterklaas.

For information on Sinterklaas in The Hague, visit: www.sinterklaasindenhaag.nl.