Sinterklaas Netherlands
The national sinterklaas intocht.
Sinterklaas netherlands. He wears a long red cape or chasuble over a traditional white bishops alb and a sometimes red stole dons a red mitre and ruby ring and holds a gold coloured crosier a long. Built around the image of saint nicholas the patron saint of children sinterklass the name resulting from the contraction of sint nikolaas is a legendary christmas figure celebrated and loved in the netherlands. Traditionally in mid november two weeks before his celebrated feast day sinterklaas arrives in the netherlands by boat from his home in spain.
This guide to sinterklaas saint nicholas is to help parents navigate the sinterklaas tradition and get their children involved in the local dutch festivities. Over the past few months a number of dutch cities have cancelled or reworked their sinterklaas. He can be recognized by his eye catching red cape with red miter and his long white beard.
Sinterklaas is based on the historical figure of saint nicholas 270343 a greek bishop of myra in present day turkey. Upon arrival sinterklaas immediately proceeds to the grotepietenhuis where he stays during his visit to the netherlands. Broadcaster ntr which always shows the arrival live on television has opted for a non existing village and built it into the storyline which is being revealed this week in childrens news show sinterklaas journaal.
The arrival was shown in an extra long episode of the. The official national sinterklaas intocht arrival event is taking place on saturdaybut due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis the lieve goede sint will be arriving in zwalk a fictional town that was chosen to ensure there wouldnt be any crowds at the event. The saintly man arrives each year in mid november on a steam boat filled with gifts and together with his helpers all referred to as piet peter.
Sinterklaas also known as saint nicholas is dear to the hearts of dutch children.