Today marks another special celebration for children in the Netherlands. After the celebration of Sint Maarten (check my blog yesterday about Sint Maarten), Sinterklaas arrives in many Dutch towns and cities. The symbolic arrival of Sinterklaas always happens in a port, where he gets out of his steam boat that sails from Spain to the Netherlands. Some Dutch cities are not reachable by boat, thus, Sinterklaas arrives with horse. Together with his Piets, Sinterklaas is welcomed today by millions of children in the Netherlands with celebration lasting for three weeks.

What do you need to know about Sinterklaas?

Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas in English) is a celebrated figure among the Dutch children. He is the patron Saint of Children and is known for various names such as the De Sint (The Sint), De Goede Sint (The Good Saint), and De Goedheiligheman (The Good Holy Man). Sinterklaas is believed to live in his castle in Spain as a ‘pensioner’. He visits Netherlands every year for 3 weeks until 5th of December, before he goes back to Spain.

Sinterklaas always carries his red book with lists of names of good and naughty children. Good children are rewarded with gifts and sweets. Meanwhile, naughty children are spanked with chimney sweeps and are put in the jute bag to be brought back to Spain. Sinterklaas is aided by his “servant” Black Pete (Zwarte Piet), who are painted black in the face and wear Moorish attire. Recently, Black Petes are becoming controversial in the Netherlands and in the international community because of racism issue. The blackface of Black Petes are dehumanising people of color. Others believe though that Black Pete is not just a servant but a noble servant.

Another prominent figure during Sinterklaas is ‘Amerigo’, the flying white horse. Amerigo is believed to deliver the gifts to children overnight, similar to the role of the nine reindeer pulling the sleigh of Santa Claus.

How do Dutch celebrate Sinterklaas?

Upon the arrival of Sinterklaas, children may place their shoes near the chimney with carrot or hay on Saturday evenings to get some treats or small gifts the following day. The main celebration of Sinterklaas is on the eve December 5, also known as Pakjesavond (or gift evening). Here the family eats nice dinner together, just like Christmas eve, and one of the Petes are believed to knock on the door of each house to deliver the jute bags full of gifts, chocolates, and sweets for children. Sinterklaas is also celebrated everywhere, whether at work, stores, or shops. The typical sweets during the celebration of Sinterklaas are pepernoten, speculaas (almond paste), banket letter (pastry filled with almond paste), chocolate letter, marzipan, and mandarin oranges.

Popular songs

Want to celebrate Sinterklaas? Then you should also know some Sinterklaas songs. Below are some popular ones:

Sinterklaas Kapoentje

[Chorus]
Sinterklaas kapoentje
Gooi wat in mijn schoentje
Gooi wat in mijn laarsje
Dank u, Sinterklaasje

[Verse 1]
Sinterklaasje bonne, bonne, bonne
Gooi wat in mijn lege, lege tonne
Gooi wat in mijn laarsje
Dank u, Sinterklaasje

Zie ginds op Stoomboot

Zie ginds komt de stoomboot
uit Spanje weer aan.
Hij brengt ons Sint Nicolaas
ik zie hem al staan.
Hoe huppelt zijn paardje
het dek op en neer,
hoe waaien de wimpels
al heen en al weer.

Zijn knecht staat te lachen
en roept ons reeds toe:
Wie zoet is krijgt lekkers;
wie stout is de roe!
Oh, lieve Sint Nicolaas
kom ook eens bij mij
en rijd toch niet stilletjes
ons huisje voorbij!

Zachtjes gaan de paarden voetjes

Zachtjes gaan de paardenvoetjes:
trippel, trappel, trippel, trap.
‘t Is het paard van Sinterklaasje:
stippe, stappe, stippe, stap.

‘t Schimmeltje draagt met gemak,
Sinterklaasje over ’t dak.
‘t Schimmeltje draagt met gemak,
Sinterklaasje over ’t dak.

‘t Paardje kan de weg wel vinden:
trippel, trappel, trippel, trap.
In het held’re maneschijntje:
stippe, stappe, stippe, stap.

‘t Paardje is nog lang niet moe,
maar ik moet naar bedje toe.
‘t Paardje is nog lang niet moe,
maar ik moet naar bedje toe.

‘k Hoor de vlugge paardenvoetjes:
trippel, trappel, trippel, trap.
In mijn lekkere warme bedje:
stippe, stappe, stippe, stap.

Hoor de wind waait door de bomen

Hoor de wind waait door de bomen,
hier in huis zelfs waait de wind.
Zou de goede Sint wel komen,
als hij ’t weer zo lelijk vindt.
Als hij ’t weer zo lelijk vindt.

Ja, hij komt in donkere nachten,
op z’n paardje oh zo snel.
Als hij wist hoe we hem verwachten,
oh dan kwam hij zeker wel.
Oh dan kwam hij zeker wel.