|
MDDP Events
MDDP Forum
Sinterklaas celebration 2003
On December 6th, the Dutch celebrates Sinterklaas Day or called Sinterklaasfeest. It is the feast day of St. Nicholas, a 4th century Byzantine Bishop and according to legend the popular saint saved children from death and provided brides and dowries.
Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus originates from Sinterklaas in Holland. The Dutch Sinterklaas is depicted wearing a red bishop's robes and was said to be accompanied at times by "Zwarte Pieter" (Black Peter), a black elf, or a few of them, who have blacked-up faces and brightly coloured old Spanish style costumes, whose job was to whip the naughty children.
Just as young children around the world believe in Santa Clause, Dutch children too believe that Sinterklaas really exist. According to the story, he lives in Spain and he has a big book saying which children have been good and which have been naughty. On the night before Sinterklaasfeest, he rides through the night on his white horse over the roofs and throws presents and sweets down chimneys. To tempt his horse, children put carrots and hay in their shoes and lay their shoes by the stove.
In 2003, five of the Project's participants were specially invited to observe this traditional event organised by the Dutch community in Kuala Lumpur.
Held on the grounds of the Ambassador's residence, children of all ages came with their parents. Soon enough, the first to arrive were the "Zwarten Pieter" (Black Peters) with blacked-up faces and in their colourful costumes, threatening to catch any naughty children but also bearing bags of "speculaas" (spiced biscuits) and "pepernoten" (gingernuts) specially imported from Holland for this occasion.
Suddenly, everybody were summoned to the front as it was time for Sinterklaas to arrive. It was a grand entrance as Sinterklaas rode in on a tall white horse while the children sang songs welcoming him. The rest of the celebration saw the children in performances for Sinterklaas and the "Zwarten Pieter" entertaining and presenting gifts to the children.
Sinterklaas and the "Zwarten Pieter" with the children.
Madam Diana Herbrink briefing the Dutch descendants on the Sinterklaas tradition.
On December 6th, the Dutch celebrates Sinterklaas Day or called Sinterklaasfeest. It is the feast day of St. Nicholas, a 4th century Byzantine Bishop and according to legend the popular saint saved children from death and provided brides and dowries.
Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus originates from Sinterklaas in Holland. The Dutch Sinterklaas is depicted wearing a red bishop's robes and was said to be accompanied at times by "Zwarte Pieter" (Black Peter), a black elf, or a few of them, who have blacked-up faces and brightly coloured old Spanish style costumes, whose job was to whip the naughty children.
Just as young children around the world believe in Santa Clause, Dutch children too believe that Sinterklaas really exist. According to the story, he lives in Spain and he has a big book saying which children have been good and which have been naughty. On the night before Sinterklaasfeest, he rides through the night on his white horse over the roofs and throws presents and sweets down chimneys. To tempt his horse, children put carrots and hay in their shoes and lay their shoes by the stove.
In 2003, five of the Project's participants were specially invited to observe this traditional event organised by the Dutch community in Kuala Lumpur.
Held on the grounds of the Ambassador's residence, children of all ages came with their parents. Soon enough, the first to arrive were the "Zwarten Pieter" (Black Peters) with blacked-up faces and in their colourful costumes, threatening to catch any naughty children but also bearing bags of "speculaas" (spiced biscuits) and "pepernoten" (gingernuts) specially imported from Holland for this occasion.
Suddenly, everybody were summoned to the front as it was time for Sinterklaas to arrive. It was a grand entrance as Sinterklaas rode in on a tall white horse while the children sang songs welcoming him. The rest of the celebration saw the children in performances for Sinterklaas and the "Zwarten Pieter" entertaining and presenting gifts to the children.
Sinterklaas and the "Zwarten Pieter" with the children.
Madam Diana Herbrink briefing the Dutch descendants on the Sinterklaas tradition.