5 december 2010

Sinterklaas evening







Today - the 5th of December - is St Nicolaas' birthday. Sinterklaas is an important traditional celebration in the Netherlands and Belgium. Sinterklaas brings presents to the children on his birthday. From mid November (his arrival) until the 5th of December (his departure) we sing traditional songs, eat traditional treats and tell the children a lot of bedtime stories. It's always an extremely exciting time for the children!

Sinterklaas has a long red cape, wears a traditional white bishop's robe and red mitre, and holds a crosier, a long gold-coloured staff with a fancy curled top. He carries a big book that tells whether each individual child has been good or naughty in the past year. He traditionally rides a gray horse and is assisted by many mischievous helpers with black faces and colourful Moorish dresses. These helpers are called 'Zwarte Pieten' (Black Petes).

Sinterklaas is the basis of the mythical holiday figure of Santa Claus in the United States.

4 opmerkingen:

  1. Mooi (al zijn de onderste platen ook een beetje eng, met die boos kijkende Sint)!

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  2. Leuk 'oud' boekje! Hebben jullie het gezellig gehad met Sint? Groetjes, Claire

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  3. Nice selection. What are the books titles? Illustrators names?
    Bonne Fête de la saint Nicolas :-)

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  4. Hi Ribambins
    I forgot to get back to you with answers to your questions. The first book is called 'onze oude versjes en rijmpjes', Illustrator Jan Wiegman. The second book is 'Het prentenboek van Tante Pau', the illustrator isn't mentioned...

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