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local Monday 7 noveMber 2022

Sinterklaas coming to Aruba with colorful Piet

ORANJESTAD – On Decem-
ber 5th, Dutch people cel-
ebrate Sinterklaas, a festiv-
ity where children receive
sweets and small toys if
they leave their shoes out
with grass for Sinterklaas’
white horse. Before that,
Sinterklaas arrives in Aruba
and with his “Piets”, and this
year, they will arrive on the
13th of November.

Sinterklaas is represented
by a man dressed in red
attire with white hair and
a white beard, he is rep-
resenting Saint Nicolas, a
bishop from the 4th century
who lived in what is now
Turkey. From the 11th cen-
tury, the stories about his was the precursor of Santa
miracles became known Claus. Historians believe
in Western Europe, and he that Dutch and German
became a patron saint for settlers took the tradition
children. with them to America.
There, his Catholic garb was
The feast of Sinterklaas gradually transformed into
has been celebrated for the jolly non-sectarian red
at least 700 years in the suit with the white fur trim
Netherlands. The story of we are all so familiar with.
his companions, Zwarte Additionally, his lithe frame
Piet – “Black Pete” – came gave way to a well-pad-
from a book by Jan Schen- ded potbelly, and his trusty
kman written in 1850, but white steed was traded in
the commercialization of for a troupe of reindeer. Ei-
the day began in the 1930s. ther way, both Sinterklaas
Traditionally, children re- and Santa Claus stand for
ceived the present in their the generosity of spirit and
shoe on the 6th of Decem- kindness to children.
ber, the official day of Saint
Nicholas in the Catholic Sinterklaas will be arriving
calendar, but the celebra- in Aruba on the 13th of No- Piets arrive in Aruba. There based on 16th-century no- controversy regarding the
tion gradually shifted to the vember, although his Piets will be activities with differ- ble attire, with a ruff (lace color of the Piets. This is a
5th od Dember, known as look a little different nowa- ent dance groups, shows, collar) and a feathered Dutch tradition, but some
“pakjesavond”. days. and when Sinterklaas ar- cap. He is typically depict- people consider that it in-
President of the Commis- rives around 12 or 1pm, the ed carrying a bag which cludes discrimination with
The first arrival of Sinterk- sion for the Celebration of celebration will continue contains candy for the chil- Zwarte Piet painting their
laas – intocht van Sinter- National Holidays, Lyonel until 2pm”, he said. dren. The Zwarte Pieten toss entire face black, with
klaas – according to the Dirks explained that for two their candy around, a tradi- big lips and gold rings – to
Meertens Institute – took years, the arrival of Sinter- Colorful Piet tion supposedly originating many, this represents slav-

place in Zwolle in 1873, klaas was not an event for Sinterklaas is assisted by in the story of Saint Nicho- ery and discrimination.
when wealthy farmers had children to attend because many mischievous help- las saving three young girls
someone dress up at Sinter- of the Covid-19 pandemic. ers with that traditionally from prostitution by tossing “The movement came
klaas to hand out sweets to This year, Sinterklaas will ar- wore black faces and col- golden coins through their not only from the Nether-
poor children. Since 1952, rive at 10am at Aruba Ports orful Moorish dresses. These window at night to pay lands but also the world
the arrival of Sinterklaas is Authority, from where he companions are called their dowries. and the United Nations. In
televised, with Sinterklaas will board Harbour Arena, Zwarte Piet (“Black Pete”). Aruba we know also that
arriving traditionally in a and continue with a pa- Zwarte Piet first appeared Something that was previ- children from a young age
steam boat with his Piets rade as became custom- in print as the nameless ously announced is that this are teased by being called
from Spain – although he ary the last few years. servant of Saint Nicholas in year the Piets will be color- Zwarte Piet, and they feel
has been known to arrive Sint-Nikolaas en zijn knecht ful instead of black. Edselyn discriminated against. This
by train, plain or hot air bal- Dirks said that this year the (“St. Nicholas and His Ser- Figaroa also prepared a is why, seeing everything
loon). Every year, a new parade will be a little short- vant/Apprentice”), pub- book that will be published that is going on, two years
place of arrival is chosen, er, as requested by the lished in 1850 by Amster- soon, called Piet Acade- ago we decided that the
but Sinterklaas always ar- groups that have been par- dam schoolteacher Jan my, which will tell the story arrival of Sinterklaas, which
rives on a Saturday, and at ticipating for many years, Schenkman; however, the or why the Piets will have receives public funding,
least three weeks before and so the parade will end tradition appears to date colorful faces this year. cannot be something that
December 5th. at Plaza Padu. back at least as far as the brings discrimination. This is
“This is the centre where early 19th Century. Minister of Culture and Fi- why we decided to come
Sinterklaas vs. Santa Claus the celebration will con- nance, Xiomara Maduro up with colorful Piets”,
It is said that Sinterklaas tinue as Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Piet’s colorful dress is explained that there was Maduro pointed out. q