Sinterklaas
30 November 2014 11:30 We have this Dutch festive/tradition that's entirely focussed on children which is called Sinterklaas. Santa Claus thanks his name, outfit and basic story to him. Sinterklaas is an old guy who arrives in The Netherlands 2nd or 3rd Saturday of November by boat, having travelled all the way from Spain, to deliver presents to children. Children get to set their shoe near a fireplace or door at night, sing a song and hope to get something delivered in it. Sinterklaas travels at night, by horse accompanied by his helpers, Zwarte Pieten (Black Pete).
Recently the entire country is having a discussion about Zwarte Piet. Someone called it racist and all of a sudden it's been a long, exhausting discussion about whether or not we should get rid of Zwarte Piet or not. My thoughts on this are: I don't see it as racist at all. Maybe one day, a long, long time ago Zwarte Pieten were indeed not being treated kindly. But these days Zwarte Piet is what every kid wants to become when they are all grin up. Ask any kid what they want to be and nearly everyone will say "Zwarte Piet" because he's the cool guy.
Now, I don't mind adding a little color to the entire tradition, although I still don't see Zwarte Piet as a black person, never have either. I always saw Zwarte Piet as that: Zwarte Piet. Something sub-human, or whatever you call it. I just find it sad to see that putting black face on, is now considered racist. Don't we still make "black" something "dirty" by making it feel different? That's just my opinion.
Anyway...this festive/tradition is one that brings people together, make children smile even more. There's magic in the air and it's one of my favourite times of the year. Yesterday I went with my family and niece to Pietendorp (Pete's Village). The Zuiderzeemuseum was transformed into Pietendorp. There were activities everywhere, you could make music with the pieten, you could dance with them, sit in a classroom for pieten etc...My nieces were excited about everything, loved every minute of it. It was a lovely, wonderful day in which people from all nations were present.
Some photos:
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Recently the entire country is having a discussion about Zwarte Piet. Someone called it racist and all of a sudden it's been a long, exhausting discussion about whether or not we should get rid of Zwarte Piet or not. My thoughts on this are: I don't see it as racist at all. Maybe one day, a long, long time ago Zwarte Pieten were indeed not being treated kindly. But these days Zwarte Piet is what every kid wants to become when they are all grin up. Ask any kid what they want to be and nearly everyone will say "Zwarte Piet" because he's the cool guy.
Now, I don't mind adding a little color to the entire tradition, although I still don't see Zwarte Piet as a black person, never have either. I always saw Zwarte Piet as that: Zwarte Piet. Something sub-human, or whatever you call it. I just find it sad to see that putting black face on, is now considered racist. Don't we still make "black" something "dirty" by making it feel different? That's just my opinion.
Anyway...this festive/tradition is one that brings people together, make children smile even more. There's magic in the air and it's one of my favourite times of the year. Yesterday I went with my family and niece to Pietendorp (Pete's Village). The Zuiderzeemuseum was transformed into Pietendorp. There were activities everywhere, you could make music with the pieten, you could dance with them, sit in a classroom for pieten etc...My nieces were excited about everything, loved every minute of it. It was a lovely, wonderful day in which people from all nations were present.
Some photos:
This entry was originally posted at http://prettygoodyear.dreamwidth.org/280234.html. Please comment there using OpenID.
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