Student
Typical Dutch

English copy of Sinterklaas comes on a steamboat

When Christmas was coming last year, I decided to check out how it is celebrated in the Netherlands. It seemed to me that it was a little bit different here. Then I found out about Sinterklaas. At first I thought it was the Dutch name for Santa, but he is actually totally different. The Netherlands,…

He gives presents on the 5th of December, not on Christmas day. He doesn’t live in the North Pole, but in Spain. He doesn’t use a sled, but a steamboat. And he has no reindeer, but a white horse that miraculously walks on rooftops.

You can imagine I was laughing at this point, but wait, here comes the really funny part: the helpers. They are not elves, but ‘Pieten’. If you don’t know them just google it and see for yourself. Children who don’t behave well will receive no presents; Piet will put them inside a bag and take them back to Spain.

Sinterklaas and Santa must be relatives who divide the tasks at the end of the year

I’ve seen Sint and Piet arrive at the harbour and had the opportunity to experience this moment that is so magical to Dutch people. The joyfulness of the children was amazing. And of course it was really cool to get some ‘pepernoten’ from the Pieten. So if you didn’t do this, go to the supermarket and buy some ‘pepernoten’ and other typical Sinterklaas goodies, which are delicious. And enjoy the 5th of December.

I think Sinterklaas and Santa are relatives and they divide the tasks at the end of the year. It’s too much for just one person.

Julio Silva, PhD student of plant pathology, from Brazil

Do you have a nice anecdote about your experience of going Dutch? Send it in! Describe an encounter with Dutch culture in detail and comment on it briefly. 300 words max. Send it to resource@wur.nl and earn twenty-five euro and Dutch candy

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