Zwarte Pieten

'Zwarte Pieten' having fun on the roof of a building in the town centre, Saturday afternoon.

Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) is the companion of Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas, aka the Good Holy Man), whose birthday is a traditional children's feast celebrated in the Netherlands on December 5. The tasks of the Zwarte Pieten are mostly to amuse the children and give them special Sinterklaas candy, like pepernoten: brown and small round shaped sort of gingerbread cookies. From the last week of November Sinterklaas visits schools, shopping centres etc. all over the country and gives away presents to the children, who welcome him upon arrival by singing Sinterklaas songs.

 

 

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PS. Yesterday's post was all about going up the stairs (!). Thanks everybody for your comments :)