Sinterklaas

Sinterklaas is a historic figure in Dutch and Belgian folklore, based on Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop of Myra. The modern Dutch-Flemish tradition centers on gift-giving and festive rituals in early December, with the main exchange on the evening of December 5th, Pakjesavond, in the Netherlands, while December 6 is the feast day of Saint Nicholas in Belgium.

Sinterklaas is typically depicted as an elderly man with a long white beard, dressed in a red bishop's robe and mitre, who arrives from Spain by steamboat each year. He is accompanied by helpers known as Zwarte Piet or Pieten, who assist in distributing gifts and sweets.

Traditions during the weeks before December include children placing shoes by the chimney, leaving a carrot for Sinterklaas's horse, and reciting rhymes. Families prepare and give packages called pakjes accompanied by humorous or teasing poems that reveal the contents. The evening of Pakjesavond features elaborately wrapped presents, songs, and storytelling; gifts are sometimes hidden in creative surprises.

Origin: Saint Nicholas was a 4th-century bishop revered for generosity; the Dutch celebration merged with local customs in the Middle Ages and evolved into the present form in the 19th century, influenced by Dutch literature and media such as the 1839 book and later television.

Controversy: In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the figure of Zwarte Piet drew criticism for racial stereotyping. Many participants adapted Piet to roetveegpiet or changed makeup; some municipalities and organizations have removed blackface entirely.

Legacy: Sinterklaas remains a central winter festival in the Netherlands and Flanders, marking the start of the Christmas season for many families, and reflecting a blend of religious, secular, and folkloric elements.