|
|
  Dutch version
Here you will find descriptions of the Sinterklaas traditions in various countries
The Netherlands
The Sinterklaas festival is an annual folk festival around the folkloric figures of Sinterklaas and Pete that takes place on December 5 (Sinterklaas Eve) in the Netherlands and on December 6 (St. Nicholas Day) in Belgium. is celebrated. The Sinterklaas season starts in mid-November with the National Arrival of Sinterklaas on the first Saturday after November 11, St. Martin, followed by a period of putting on the shoe until the party (Sinterklaas evening) itself.
For many decades, the Sinterklaas festival was the important tradition in the Netherlands. Many generations of children grew up wondering whether they would receive presents from the Good Saint on December 5. Since Sinterklaas sets foot in the Netherlands in mid-November, many people have been in the Sinterklaas mood. In the past, most shop windows and shops were mainly in a Sinterklaas atmosphere, but nowadays this is much less so.
The modern-day Sinterklaas festival is celebrated on the anniversary of Saint Nicholas' death, December 6, or on the evening before, Pakjesavond. In the Netherlands people usually celebrate Pakjesavond on December 5, in Belgium; and in other countries the celebration is usually on December 6.
In 2010, the Sinterklaas celebration was chosen as the most important tradition. We Dutch are a people who love customs and traditions. From Queen's Day and Dutch New Year to fireworks and oliebollen on New Year's Eve. But the Dutch consider celebrating Sinterklaas to be the most important tradition.
The Sinterklaas festival has been celebrated in many more countries for a long time and the method of celebration is not the same everywhere. What is typical for the Netherlands is that in no other country is the Sinterklaas festival celebrated in such a cozy and exuberant way as in The Netherlands.
From the national arrival to putting on shoes and preferably making a personal poem with a gift, we only know this in our country. A tradition to cherish.
But actually this "Sinterklaas tradition" consists of several traditions.
The Sinterklaas festival, like many other folkloric and traditional holidays, is surrounded by a large number of traditions, which are often hundreds of years old. For example, with Sinterklaas we eat gingerbread men and gingerbread men, we put on our shoe and we have to be careful not to disappear into Sinterklaas' sack.
But where do these traditions come from?
|
|
You can quickly jump to one of these traditions by using the links below
|
The Sack
As with many festivals based on the Christian faith, Sinterklaas has a number of traditions adopted from the Germanic people. Many Germanic tribes had a special ritual for the coming of age of older boys. They were kidnapped at night by adult male tribe members and put in a bag to test their courage.
This is probably where the story of Santa's sack comes from, where naughty children were taken to Spain. This would probably make the bag the oldest Saint tradition.
Nowadays, this bag is only used to transport gifts. | 
|
Back to the Traditions Menu
Bread and Pastry Letters (And also Chocolate letters)
Pastry Letter | The making of pastry letters also goes back a long way, up to thousands of years. At that time they were often used to teach children to read or write. For example, in ancient Rome, the time of the Romans, letter cakes were made to teach children to read.
Please note: Children of poor parents had to work and therefore rarely learned to read and write. In a few cases, the poor parents themselves made bread or biscuit letters to teach their children to read and write (almond paste was too expensive for them.
This custom of making letter cakes to teach children something is much more common, including in Würtemberg, Germany, where letters were cooked into the porridge until the Second World War. This would make children 'Lernkräftig'.
And also in Sicily the banquet letters were used. They laid an 'abizz' in the cradle of a newborn child. This is to encourage potential study subjects. |
It is known that the pastry letter is a delicacy and has its roots thousands of years ago, but why do we actually eat the butter letters specifically at Sinterklaas? Where does the connection with Sinterklaas come from? The Sinterklaas song 'O, come and have a look' lists what is found in the shoe. This includes a 'le-etter va-an banquet' (even in 2 choruses).
How the pastry letters came together with Sinterklaas is as follows. The Germanic people believed that Odin was the inventor of characters (runes). The Germans gave letters as gifts at their midwinter festival. It may seem that this is separate from our Sinterklaas celebration, but many of the Germanic traditions were adopted centuries ago in Christian celebrations, so the pastry letter was also linked to the Sinterklaas celebration and we still enjoy it every year!
When cocoa became cheaper at the beginning of the 20th century, chocolate letters were also introduced. At first only the S and the P, later also other letters and today the entire alphabet is available. As a result, the banquet letter became slightly less important.
Nowadays it is usually 1 pastry letter for the whole family and a chocolate letter per person. | 
Chocolate letter
|
Breadletters
Back to the Traditions Menu
Money and Chocolate Coins
There are many stories known about Saint Nicholas. After his death the miracle stories arose. The best-known story is about a poor man with three daughters who, thanks to gifts from Saint Nicholas, were able to marry and therefore did not fall into prostitution. He threw the gifts through the open window. This is possibly where the bedding and money (chocolate coins) come from
In the Middle Ages, the Feast of St. Nicholas was celebrated at German and Northern French monastery schools. During a miracle play the saint 'appeared' before the children, rewarding the diligent students and admonishing the lazy ones.
The St. Nicholas celebration ran from about 1300 to about 1600 together with the children's bishop game. On December 6, a children's bishop and supporters were elected at that time. They were provided with food and gifts until December 28 (Innocent Children). Other children received money and a day off to celebrate on December 6.
The probably oldest mention of this comes from Dordrecht and dates from 1360: "at St. her Nyclaes thought I L. gr. and those scooters performed the primal praise". In 1363 the lord of Gouda, Jan van Blois, in Dordrecht gave the scoelnaers the whore hoechtij of St. Nyclaes and horn bisscop. In 1403 there is talk of the distribution of 'honic, claescoeck and taert to those kynders, according to their pattern St. Nyclaes".
From 1427 onwards, money was invested in children's shoes in the Utrecht Nicolaas Church. At that time, children dressed up in a parade through the streets and received bishop's money from passers-by. Similar traditions still exist today in other countries, such as Chlausjagen in Switzerland.
When cocoa became cheaper at the beginning of the 20th century, many chocolate sweets became available and people were reminded of giving real money by giving chocolate coins.
 
Back to the Traditions Menu
Candy
 
The sweets also often had their own story and history. For example, the practice of scattering gingerbread nuts probably comes from a story about Saint Nicholas in which he threw coins to three young girls so that they could pay their dowry and not have to go into prostitution. In addition, spreading also has a Germanic origin and depicts fertility, because it resembles a farmer sowing his field.
Speculaas dolls also have a Germanic origin, where the dolls were given by a boy to a girl. If the girl accepted the 'speculaas suitor', it was a good sign for the relationship.
These foods have probably also become part of the Sinterklaas festival because their taste fits well with the season.
Other sweets (delicacies) will probably always have been included, as is evident from the text quoted earlier.
In 1403 there is mention of the distribution of "honic, claescoeck and taert to those kynders, on their patron St. Nyclaes".
Back to the Traditions Menu
Putting down the shoes
 
Another old Sinterklaas tradition that has a more recent origin is the laying of the shoe. This was already done in the 15th century on Sinterklaas Eve and was then intended for the poor.
The contents of the shoes were distributed among the poor a day later, on December 6, the anniversary of Saint Nicholas's death. Later this changed slightly, when this was shoe-setting for poor children, who would then put their shoe in church on December 5, after which the shoes were filled with sweets and sometimes money by the rich and the children put their filled shoes on the morning of December 6. could pick up the shoe again.
In the 16th century, the custom began for children to put on their shoes at home on the evening of December 5. According to 16th century descriptions, this first took place in the back of the house near the outside door, later in the living room (near the fireplace). The children fill their shoes with oats and straw. Late at night the parents replace this with apples, cookies, raisins or money. Toys, candy, gingerbread, gingerbread, gingerbread, marzipan or gingerbread were also given.
And that's how it still goes today, although many children are now allowed to put their shoe on more often with a note and drawing for Sinterklaas in it and then they get a little something in it.
Back to the Traditions Menu
The Arrival and the Entry
The very first arrival of Sinterklaas took place in 1888, in Venray. This happened on December 6, the date on which the Sinterklaas celebration now ends. A centrally organized annual arrival of Sinterklaas has been held in Amsterdam since 1934.
An official National Arrival of Sinterklaas has been held since the early 1950s, which is broadcast live on national television. Sinterklaas then arrives in the early afternoon. For this national Arrival, a different place is chosen every year where Saint Nicholas and Pieten arrive with Boat.
 
In the two weeks before the Arrival, there is a filmed Sinterklaas story for the children on National TV that builds up to the arrival. Called The Sinterklaas News. And after the arrival, the story works towards Sinterklaas evening through this Sinterklaas news. A new story every year.
 
The National Arrival of Sinterklaas with his entourage is the official signal for children that from that moment on they can prepare their shoes.
An arrival can be preceded by an arrival in which Sinterklaas arrives from Spain by steamboat, but other means of transport are also not uncommon. Where possible, Sinterklaas usually arrives by steamboat, or otherwise in other ways such as by train, helicopter, cargo bike or in some places even by horse and carriage.
After arrival, Sinterklaas will enter on his horse and with his Pieten.
 
As with a medieval merrymaking, the entry is often accompanied by a number of rituals, including a welcome by the mayor and a brass band. Such parades are held in many places. During the arrival, Saint Nicholas rides on Sinterklaas' gray horse or in a carriage, car or other fun means of transport, or he goes on foot.
In the Netherlands and Belgium the arrival takes place in mid-November on the first Saturday after St. Martin's Day (November 11). The local arrivals are usually later on the same afternoon as the national arrival, in the south of the Netherlands and in Belgium. often also the following Sunday and also in some places the Saturday after that
In Belgium Sinterklaas and his entire entourage arrive in Antwerp every year, which is broadcast live on Eén or Ketnet under the name He does come, he does come... The entry of Saint Nicholas. In 2003, the entry took place exceptionally in Ostend.
Back to the Traditions Menu
Songs
Sinterklaas songs are sung throughout the entire Sinterklaas season, but especially during the arrival and entry of Sinterklaas, when putting on the shoe, during a visit from Sinterklaas and Piet, and at the beginning of Christmas Eve. Singing for Sinterklaas is one of the most important customs associated with this folkloric festival.
The oldest saints' songs about Saint Nicholas date from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, songs about Saint Nicholas as a marriage maker were widespread. In the nineteenth century, a number of existing folk songs about Sinterklaas were recorded, such as 'Sinterklaas good saint', 'Sinterklaas kapoentje' and 'Sinterklaasje bonne bonne bonne'.
The current traditional Sinterklaas songs date almost entirely from the second half of the nineteenth and the first half of the twentieth century. These are songs by lyricists such as J.P. Heije ('See, the moon shines through the trees'), Jan Schenkman ('See, over there the steamboat arrives again / From Spain') and Katharina Leopold ('Oh, come and have a look / What I find in my shoe' ).
 | A few dozen songs have been around for about a hundred to almost two hundred years and have helped shape, content and atmosphere the party for generations. Together with traditional children's songs and St. Martin's Day songs, Sinterklaas songs are among the best preserved Dutch singing culture. They are therefore one of the few song cultures that are still characterized by active singing (since the rise of music on the radio or on sound carriers).
<== Girl with a clog sings a Sinterklaas song in front of the stove
|
Back to the Traditions Menu
Sinterklaas evening / Presents evening
 | Sinterklaas Eve (also called Presentsevening) is held on or around the evening before St. Nicholas Day and is often celebrated with the family. Christmas Eve is already depicted in a painting by Jan Steen around 1636, the gifts are delivered through the chimney in a children's shoe. In a household book from 1638 by Maria van Nesse, a wealthy woman from Alkmaar, gifts for her two nieces are described, as it was Sinter Nicolaes.
Presentsevenig is especially typical of the Dutch version of the Sinterklaas celebration. On Presents Eve, Sinterklaas songs are often played or sung, people eat together, there are sweet snacks, apples and tangerines. The packages are sometimes accompanied by a poem that must be read aloud in advance by the recipient of the gift. Frequently given gifts are the gingerbread man and chocolate letter. Sometimes Sinterklaas visits the children at home, alone or with Black Petes, and with a bag full of presents. If there is little time, just bang on the door and put the bag or basket outside. |
| The way St. Nicolas Eve is celebrated today is a phenomenon after the Second World War. Originally it was the evening when Sinterklaas brings the presents at night and the children find them in the morning on the sixth of December. Songs were sung on the evening when children put their shoes on. In Belgium such a celebration is common. Putting the shoe on St.Nicholas Eve was customary in many families just after the Second World War. This ceremonial was initially surrounded by an atmosphere of mystery. | 
|
However, increasing prosperity after the war created more room for a giving culture. Parents initially gave their children homemade gifts and nowadays purchased gifts. Since then, adults and children in secondary education have also often given each other gifts, usually anonymously, on Christmas Eve, with or without a Sinterklaas poem or packaged as a 'surprise'. Often, by drawing lots, it is determined anonymously for whom one should buy a present. This form of celebration, with poems and 'surprises', is more common in the Netherlands than in Belgium.
| 
|
Back to the Traditions Menu
Presents and Surprises
 |
Sinterklaas evening (package evening) has traditionally been the real Sinterklaas party,
Then the children (and later also the adults) receive their presents. How exactly this works can differ from house to house. Usually there is a ring at the door or a tap on the window (e.g. by a neighbor) and when the children look there is a bag or basket with presents. This is then brought inside and the presents are handed out there.
It becomes a little more elaborate if, after calling, there is no bag or basket, but a letter, with a rhyming verse containing instructions on where the bag or basket can be found.
Found bag? Then it's time for chocolate milk and then the presents.
In a large family with many children, there was a letter at the bottom of the bag with directions where a second bag could be found and so on until the fifth and last bag. In that family there was also a pastry letter at the top of the first bag, so after finding it there was chocolate milk with a piece of pastry letter for everyone.
Sometimes, after ringing the bell, the children not only find the bag, basket or letter, but also traces of the horse (hoof prints and/or horse poop), which makes it even more real and exciting for children.
|
| Handing out the presents can also be done in different ways. All gifts have the name of the person the gift is for.
The parents or an older child can take the gift out of the bag or basket one by one and give it to the person whose name is on it. If there is a poem, it must be read aloud, then the gift is unpacked, and then it is next gift's turn. A nice variation on this is that the person who has just received a gift takes the next gift from the bag or basket and gives it to the recipient.
Tradition requires that everyone receives a poem with at least one gift. Poems with more gifts is of course more fun.
You can read more about what those poems could be like in the next point (Poems). | 
|
 | The surprise evening, the exchange of gifts in entertaining packaging accompanied by pedantic or joking poems, is a relatively new phenomenon within the tradition, which originated around the 1970s.
Sometimes it is more about the packaging than the contents, such as a pass-on package, in which each time, in addition to a small gift for the recipient, there is a package for someone else, and so it goes around the entire circle until everyone has received something. Or a very large package full of junk with a small gift in it. Very nice even if the packaging suggests something different than the actual gift.
|
Back to the Traditions Menu
Poems
The poems can be short or long, sweet or teasing and can range from almost nonsense to a perceptive riddle about the gift,
Here are a few examples:
This is a gift for our Henk.
You may be a bit disappointed,
but it will keep you dry when it rains.
Sinterklaas |
| For Kees,
The suit is round, but it is not a ball,
the content is nice, but also a strange case,
It cleans you while bathing
It is ... , no, you can guess that right.
Saint and Pete |
For John,
John likes to tease the girls,
His jokes are often unbearable
It's something he's not allowed to do anymore
Otherwise this is the last thing he got in his shoe
Peter with the rod | |
or starting with a line from a Sinterklaas song
For Ina,
See the moon shining through the trees,
when Santa had heard
That Ina did not think long about her wish
That's why he brought her this gift
Pete the dude
|
Back to the Traditions Menu
Bishop's Wine and Chocolate Milk
Bishop's wine was traditionally drunk during Sinterklaas. A spiced wine that is the same as the well-known Glühwein. This drink has its origins in Hippocras, an ancient drink based on wine, honey and herbs. The name refers to the Greek philosopher Hypocrates.
Bishop's wine and mulled wine can easily be made from leftover red wine that has been open for too long or from wine that, on reflection, is not to your taste. You only have to google recipes to make this wine yourself.
From the 18th century onwards, hot chocolate has also been drunk, especially by children of course.
Back to the Traditions Menu
Shop window displays and street decorations
Shop windows with Sinterklaas decorations were sometimes already there before the First World War, but with the growth of the industry and therefore cheaper industrial materials, more and cheaper decorations became available. And that also meant that there were more and more elaborately decorated shop windows. After the Second World War this took another big step, when decorations were introduced with moving dolls and other moving things and moving trains, etc.
And also the electric Sinterklaas party lighting for the shopping streets.
 
Shortly before the turn of the century, the emphasis slowly shifted to Christmas window displays
and Christmas street lighting or more general winter festive lighting for the shopping streets.
Back to the Traditions Menu
Catholicism
A number of the traditions surrounding the Sinterklaas celebration can also be traced back to the Catholic origins of Saint Nicholas. For example, the Saint Nicholas's clothing, miter and staff are symbols of his position as bishop, he arrives by steamboat because Saint Nicholas was the patron saint of seafarers and we celebrate Parcel Eve on December 5 because it is the anniversary of the death of a saint in the Catholic faith. is often celebrated the night before.
Back to the Traditions Menu
The Sinterklaas celebration in Belgium
The Sinterklaas festival is one of the oldest and most beloved traditions in Belgium.
Every year, on December 6, Belgians celebrate the arrival of Sinterklaas, also known as Sint-Nicolaas. The festival has a long history and, just like in the Netherlands, has its origins in the centuries-old history of Saint Nicholas. The anniversary of his death, December 6, was chosen as the day to commemorate his life and good deeds.
On December 6, Sinterklaas arrives in Belgium. Santa Claus always arrives there by steamboat in the port of Antwerp. He is welcomed with large celebrations and parades in cities and towns throughout the country. Children sing songs and look forward with anticipation to the arrival of Sinterklaas.
 
After arriving, Sinterklaas visits schools, shops and homes to hand out presents. The arrival of Sinterklaas in Belgium marks the beginning of the festive period and brings with it a sense of excitement and anticipation. For children it is a magical time when they hope for presents and treats.
The Sinterklaas celebration in Belgium is characterized by different traditions and customs. On the evening of December 5, the eve of the party, children put their shoes by the stove in the hope that Sinterklaas will leave presents in it. A carrot or sugar cube for Sinterklaas' horse is also ready. At night, Sinterklaas comes by on his horse, accompanied by his faithful servant, Zwarte Piet. They bring presents and treats for the children.
In Belgium (especially Flanders and Hainaut), the west of Germany and in northern France, the children are woken up early on December 6 to find presents and sweets by the fireplace (or near the central heating), dropped down the chimney by an agile Black woman. Piet, of which there is usually only one.
The differences between Belgium and the Netherlands
5 and 6 December. Although the Sinterklaas festival is in both Belgium and Belgium when the Netherlands is celebrated, there is a big difference between the two countries. In Belgium Sinterklaas is traditionally celebrated on December 6, while in the Netherlands the celebration takes place on December 5.
The entry into Belgium always takes place in Antwerp, while in the Netherlands Sinterklaas arrives in a different place every year.
Putting on shoes. Both in the Netherlands and Belgium the children put their shoes on. Add a drawing, a carrot for the horse and in Belgium; Also added a sugar cube for Bad Weather Today. What also often happens in Belgium is that a bottle of beer is added, a pint for Piet. Just one because he has to get back on the roof safely afterwards.
Another big difference. In addition to December 5 and 6, there is another big difference in celebrating the Sinterklaas festival. Only in the Netherlands do adults also participate. Drawing lots, buying a present for the person drawn and also writing a poem, preferably somewhat personal, is a typically Dutch part of the Sinterklaas celebration. In Belgium Sinterklaas only comes for the children.
Traditional Sinterklaas delicacies in Belgium
In addition to presents, Sinterklaas also brings traditional Belgian delicacies. One of the most popular are the speculaas, called speculoos in Belgium. which are often made in the shape of Sinterklaas and Piet. In addition, mandarins and chocolate figures are eaten during the party. Of course, children also receive presents from Sinterklaas. These are usually left in their shoe and can range from toys and books to sweets and little surprises. It is a tradition that Sinterklaas knows what each child would like to receive, which adds to the magic and excitement of the party.
Regional differences in Belgium
Although the Sinterklaas festival is celebrated throughout Belgium, is celebrated, there may be regional differences in the way the festival is celebrated. In some parts of Belgium For example, additional celebrations are held on the day of Sinterklaas' arrival. In other regions there may be specific traditions and customs unique to that place. An example of this is the city of Mechelen, where the "Children's Parade" is held every year on December 6. This is a large parade in which children dressed as Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet walk along and hand out candy to the public. It is a cheerful and colorful celebration that brings the local community together.
Back to the Traditions Menu
The Sinterklaas festival in Germany
The celebration of Sinterklaas does not only take place in the Netherlands. In Germany, for example, it is also celebrated. Who is Sinterklaas in Germany?
Sinterklaas, or Saints Nikolaus as he is called there, is a traditional figure. The celebration is based on the figure of Saint Nicholas, the historic bishop known for his generosity and goodness. The same historical figure that we know, although it looks a little different than ours.
In Germany, the activities surrounding Saints Nikolaus are often religious in nature and the church is often involved. Despite a large Protestant church in Germany, the December festivities are visible everywhere in the country.
Unlike in the Netherlands, where the Sinterklaas celebration starts with the arrival of Sinterklaas in mid-November and ends on December 5, Sinterklaas in Germany is usually celebrated on December 6. In some regions, festivities begin on the evening of December 5. Although the celebration of Sinterklaas in Germany is not as extensive as in the Netherlands, there are still many traditions surrounding the holiday. Children shine their shoes and leave them outside at night, hoping that Saint Nikolaus will fill them with sweets, chocolate or small gifts.
In Germany, children sing songs in exchange for presents
There are clear differences between the Dutch Sinterklaas celebration and the German one.
| In Germany there is no Black Pete as we know it. Instead, Sinterklaas is accompanied by several other helpers whose faces are often also painted black. In large parts of Germany, Knecht Ruprecht is the right-hand man of Saint Nicholas. Knecht Ruprecht is not like our cheerful and cheerful Piet, no in Germany the helper of the Saints Nikolaus is a real bogeyman with a rod.
|  |
 | In the Alpine region in the far south of Germany, Nikolaus meets the terrifying helper Krampus. Krampus, with his two horns, resembles a demon and is meant to scare away evil spirits.
|
| All the way in the southeast of Germany, in the Berchtesgadener Land, Heiligen Nikolaus is accompanied by the so-called Buttnmandl. These are men decked out in straw suits and wearing devil masks. Huge cowbells are tied to the back of the backs, creating a lot of noise to scare away evil spirits. Only in the villages of the Berchtesgadener Land are the Buttnmandl a traditional custom in Germany. The Buttnmandllaufen (processes) take place in the villages on various dates (until December 24). In these processions, in addition to the Buttnmandl, Gankerl (kind of Krampus) also walk with the Saints Nikolaus. |  |
 | In plaats van de Nederlandse vroegere traditie 'de taaipop', hebben Duitsers een 'Weckmann', ook wel bekend als een Stutenkerl of Klausmann. Het is een broodje in de vorm van een mannetje, een bisschop met een pijp van marsepein in zijn mond. Klausmann is vaak gevuld met rozijnen en krenten.
|
Songs for Saint Nicholas are sung at schools and daycare centers. One of the most famous Nikolaus songs is 'Lasst uns froh und munter sein' (Let us be cheerful and cheerful).
Laßt uns froh und munter sein,
und uns recht von Herzen freu'n!
Refrain:
Lustig, lustig, traleralera,
|: bald ist Nik'lausabend da! :|
Bald ist uns're Schule aus,
dann zieh'n wir vergnügt nach Haus.
Refrain
Dann stell' ich den Teller auf;
Nik'laus legt gewiß was drauf.
Refrain
Steht der Teller auf dem Tisch,
sing' ich nochmal froh und frisch: |
Refrain
Wenn ich schlaf', dann träume ich:
Jetzt bringt Nik'laus was für mich.
Refrain
Wenn ich aufgestanden bin,
lauf' ich schnell zum Teller hin.
Refrain
Nik'laus ist ein guter Mann
dem man nicht genug danken kann.
Refrain |
There are some notable traditions surrounding Saints Nikolaus in Germany. On the Wadden Island of Borkum, for example, Sinterklaas is young, wild and hunts women under the name Klaasohm.
In the Dutch Quarter in Potsdam, Germans can enjoy a Sinterklaas party with a Dutch touch. The only difference with the Netherlands is that the children's friend will only arrive after December 5.
Back to the Country Menu
Sinterklaas in Austria.
Nicolo - also called Niklaus - arrives there on December 5 or 6, with miter and all. Preferably December 6 is the day of the Sinterklaas celebration.
Sint - Nikolaus - himself looks the same as Sinterklaas - is not helped by Black Petes in Austria. This good saint has a bunch of angels at his disposal. Angels who wrote down the names of the children in the Big Book.
And as a little child in Austria you just hope that there are good things in this book, otherwise you will have to deal with Krampus, a devilish figure who scares children and threatens to hit naughty children with a large stick.
This servant is no longer welcome at many Austrian playgroups. According to educationalists, it would be a traumatic experience for the little ones. Krampus is so terrifying that he is no longer welcome at any Sinterklaas celebrations in Germany or Austria. However, festivals and parades around Krampus are organized in various places in the two countries.
Back to the Country Menu
The Sinterklaas festival in France
In the north and northeast of France, Sinterklaas is celebrated on December 6 (in the rest of France only Christmas is celebrated). The day is not celebrated as fanatically everywhere, but in Lorraine people go all out. Nicholas is the patron saint of this area, so large processions in honor of the saint are organized here every year.
The celebrations are very similar to the Sinterklaas arrival as we know it, except that St. Nicholas in France rides on a donkey instead of a horse. He also doesn't have any helpers with him, but the whipping father (Père Fouettard).
 
Père Fouettard is French for 'whipping father'. This terrifying ogre has a dark beard and a large hood on his head and a whip in his hand, with which he can punish naughty children.
Back to the Country Menu
The Sinterklaas festival in Switzerland
In Switzerland, Sinterklaas is celebrated on December 5 in Klausjagen. A colorful parade passes through the country, with people dressing in white and wearing enormous miters. At the front, men brandish large whips. Samiclaus - the Swiss Saint - also walks here with his buddy Schmutzli.
In large parts of Switzerland, every year a different male villager is given the privilege of playing Santa Claus. On December 6, he roams the streets of the village in full regalia. His dunkelhäutige helper is called 'Smutzli'. The name explains why Zwarte Piet is black in Switzerland. It's just dirty from the soot in the chimney!
The two or three (sometimes there are two Schmutzlis) knock on the door of every house where a kind of altarpiece is hung next to the front door, with a tea light in it: they are welcome there and are offered a schnapps in exchange for sweets and marzipan. Can you imagine what the figures look like at the end of their village tour in the evening?
In the German-speaking Eastern Alps, where the Bavarian/Tyrolean tradition prevails, Saint Nicholas is accompanied by krampuses on the evening of December 5 (photo). During the Krampuslauf, these devilish creatures scare children to keep them 'in line'. It was said that he beat naughty children with a whip or put them in the sack. The krampus masks are masterpieces of woodcarving art and it is often the prerogative of one woodworker in the village to make them.
Back to the Country Menu
The Sinterklaas celebration in Italy
Italy is a special country in several respects. Sinterklaas hardly ever comes, Babbo Natale, Santa Claus does, but the most popular is La Befana on December 6.
This festival is always celebrated around the time of the Epiphany, but in some regions also on a fixed date. Befana is a little old lady who for centuries, on the night of January 5 to 6, has been bringing presents, sweets and chocolates on her broomstick to Italian children who have had a sweet tooth.
To make that better, you can compare her a bit with Sinterklaas. The big differences are that the children find her a bit scary rather than the fact that she doesn't give any presents, only sweets.
  
She won't give anyone who is naughty, but ashes and coals! Children hang their socks on the mantelpiece, near the fireplace or other heater and prepare a plate with a mandarin orange, an orange and a glass of wine for this sweet old woman. The next morning the meal has been devoured by her and her handprint is in ash on the plate.
The presents are waiting in the sock, and there is always a little coal or ash at the bottom of the sock, because no child has been good all year round. If you don't want to be skipped, sing her a song before going to bed just to be sure.
The most sung song tells that she comes at night, dressed in a patched dress and with broken shoes on her feet:
La Befana vien di notte
con le scarpe tutte rotte
con le toppe alla sottana
viva viva La Befana!
The Befana comes at night
with her worn-out shoes
and her skirt with rags
Long live the Befana!
| | of een van de vele varianten daarop
La Befana vien di notte
con le scarpe tutte rotte
col cappello alla romana
viva viva La Befana!
The Befana comes at night
with her worn-out shoes
dressed like a Roman
Long live the Befana!
|
The legends of La Befana
According to legend, the old woman was approached by the three wise men long ago, a few days before the birth of Jesus. They asked her if she knew the way, but unfortunately the witch could not help them any further. Still, the kings asked if the woman would accompany them on their journey.
She didn't really feel like it, but changed her mind when the kings had been on their way for some time. But no matter how she searched, she could not find the three wise men or Christ and the story goes that she is still looking for them.
Another legend tells that la Befana was an ordinary woman who, like most mothers, loved her child very much. When her son died, she went crazy with grief. When she heard about the birth of Jesus, she decided to go to him, convinced that he was her own son. She brought gifts for him. Out of gratitude, Jesus also gives her a gift: La Befana will be the mother of all children in Italy.
Since then, she has delivered presents every year on the night of January 5 to 6.
Viva, viva La Befana!
Sinterklaas
Sinterklaas is mainly celebrated in the northern Italian South Tyrol and the southern Italian Puglia. Where in most places in Italy? especially La Befana (the witch) is the children's festival (just like in Spain it is celebrated on January 6, only in Spain it is called Los Reyes, Epiphany), in some regions San Nicolò (San Nicola) is also really celebrated.
In many villages in South Tyrol (Northern Italy), the Krampuses are also accompanied by colorful, good-natured spirits during a parade on December 6, called Klosn.
Then Italy another similar third Feast, Santa Lucia.
| Santa Lucia is celebrated on December 13 as a children's festival in parts of Italy. In Sicily, where Santa Lucia originates, it is a very important festival and outside of that region there are a few regions where Santa Lucia is celebrated extensively, including Lombardy and Veneto. Every year, children write a letter to Santa Lucia in which they declare that they have been good during the past year and in return they receive presents from Santa Lucia - if they have been good. |
 |
Back to the Country Menu
The Sinterklaas celebration in Eastern Europe
| Mikuláš - the Eastern European Saint - occurs in countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland and Romania. He is accompanied by an angel and a figure representing the devil. Here Mikuláš on December 6, give out candy, peanuts and tangerines to good children. Just like in our country, he goes from house to house to deliver goodies, but that's where the similarities end. Instead of Petes, Mikuláš a devil and an angel with him. |
 |
 |
In the Czech Republic they do a Sinterklazing trick or treat: the children dress up as an angel, devil or Santa and then visit the neighbors for candy.
In the Czech Republic Sinterklaas is known as Svatý Mikuláš. On December 5, he descends from heaven on a golden string to hand out candy, among other things. |
Back to the Country Menu
The Sinterklaas celebration in Ukraine
On December 19, it is Sinterklaas in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Sinterklaas has no helper or horse, but he does give presents to children. The Ukrainian Saint also wears a miter, but his has a round top. That's because the holiday here has an Orthodox background.
 
Back to the Country Menu
The Sinterklaas celebration in Bulgaria
At the end of the fishing season, Sinterklaas is celebrated in Bulgaria. Part of the party is that everyone eats carp.
Back to the Country Menu
To the Start of the page |
|
|
