Sinterklaas

Sinterklaas

OUR HERO:

Saint Nicholas,
Saint Nicholas is the common name for Saint Nicolas of Myra. Saint Nicolas was born in Patara, Lycia. "This historical character was the inspiration for a mythical figure known as Nikolaus in Germany and Sinterklaas in the Netherlands, which in turn was the inspiration for Santa Claus, who is the Saint Nicholas in England, America and more countries."
The real Saint Nicholas lived hundred years ago. He came from Turkey.
Saint Nicholas is inspiring many children from under 8 years to do good things, to be nice for their parents and many other things.

His life:

His story is told from family to family, his story has never been described. The information from this story comes out of Patara:

As a young child he performed miracles. An example of this, is that he stood on his feet in a bath, with his hands to the heaven lifted. Further he was a scholar as a young child. He died 6 December in Myra, Lycia.

the candy looks like this...

Traditions:

Saint Nicholas comes to The Netherlands and Belgium every year along with his steam boat full of presents and his Zwarte Pieten. (They are called this in the Netherlands) Zwarte Pieten are the same idea as elves. The only difference between them is that Zwarte Pieten are black. (Zwart means black). A Zwarte Piet has a black face because he throws the presents of the children through the chimney into the children's shoes (instead of socks). The idea of bringing the presents around is very different from Santa Claus. Santa Claus brings the presents with a sledge that is pulled forward by deers. Saint Nicolas rides upon the roofs with his horse (Americo is the name of the horse) and his Zwarte Pieten. On 5 December the people in the Netherlands celebrate Saint Nicolas' birthday. Saint Nicolas rides through the Netherlands with his horse and Zwarte Pieten and he goes along to all the homes to visit the children and bring them their presents. Another interesting tradition is the kind of candy that the Zwarte Pieten give to the Children.

Candy:

The candy consists of chocolate letters, herb nuts, taaitaai dolls and many other kinds of candy. (literally translated). Zwarte Piet has a bag with him, which is full of candy and the presents. It's a kind of traditional joke that if children behave bad, that zwarte piet will put them into the bag and that he takes the child back to Spain. Saint Nicolas always has his book with him with all the names of the children and the information about them.

This are Zwarte pieten

The children believe in Sinterklaas up to an age of 7 or 8 years. They think that he comes from Spain. He knows everything about the children. Sinterklaas is at so many places at the same time that children are asking "How is it possible?" Their Parents tell them that those are assistants from Sinterklaas.

When children stop believing, families often continue this party only now they make Surprises and they write poems for each other. Children at school are celebrating the birth of Sinterklaas too. First they write on a note what they want and what they like to get. Then all the notes are put in a box. One by one they take a note and they don't know whose note it is. It's a secret who you have and you're not supposed to say to anybody who you have. On 5 December they get their surprise and they have to search for their presents in the surprise. (You put the present into the surprise)

This is Sinterklaas... with his book

Sinterklaas comes only once a year. In the last two weeks from November he arrives on his steamboat. Then all the Zwarte Pieten go to the children and give them candy in their hands. There are many songs for Sinterklaas. Many children are singing them if Sinterklaas arrives.

Saint Nicholas is our hero because we have this tradition and such a nice time thanks to him. The feast of Saint Nicholas gives us a feeling of nationalism. We want to thank him for that.

This is a funny video where everything goes wrong... funny video