Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas of Myra) is a patron saint of Children. You might think maybe I mean Santa Claus but actually Sinterklaas is the basis of the figure Santa Claus in America and other parts of the world. But Santa Claus is well known for Christmas, while here in Holland they celebrate Sinterklaas on the feast day of St. Nicholas itself which is every 5th of December.
Sinterklaas has a long white beard, wears a red bishop's dress and red mitre (bishop's hat), and holds a crosier, a long gold coloured staff with a fancy curled top. Sinterklaas carries a big book with all the children's names in it, which states whether they have been naughty or nice in the past year. While the well known Santa Claus with his white beard, red and white outfit is recognized here in Holland, but he is more known as "Kerstman" (Christmasman)....
Anyway, my blog now is about the Intocht (Arrival) of Sinterklaas... Traditionally He arrives each year in November (usually on Saturday) by steamboat from Spain, and is then paraded through the streets, welcomed by cheering and singing children. Invariably, this event is broadcast live on national television here in Holland in NPS Sinterklaas Journal. And his Zwarte Piet helpers throw candy and small, round ginger bread-like cookies, kruidnoten or pepernoten, into the crowd. The children welcome him by singing traditional Sinterklaas songs. Sinterklaas also visits schools, hospitals and shopping centres. After this arrival all towns with a dock have their own Intocht van Sinterklaas (arrival of Sinterklaas). And that's what we have today here in Winschoten as local arrival.
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