Question Details
Will Sinterklaas arrive in Amsterdam accompanied by his traditional Black Pete servants?
Settled on 11/23/2013 22:25 Settled by kruijs
After a boat trip on the river Amstel Sinterklaas set foot ashore by the Maritime Museum around 10:00. Just before the steamer docked, the VOC ship next to the museum fired two shots by way of welcome.
The Saint was accompanied by about six hundred helpers.
Unlike the entry in Groningen, the Amsterdam ‘zwarte Pieten’ underwent a few adjustments to their appearance. They did not wear earrings, and they wore different color lipstick and a variety of hair do’s.
http://www.nltimes.nl/2013/11/18/sinterklaas-festively-welcomed-amsterdam/
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Background
On Tuesday, the chairwoman of a U.N. Human Rights Commission panel looking into the festival condemned it flatly. "The working group does not understand why it is that people in the Netherlands cannot see that this is a throwback to slavery, and that in the 21st century this practice should stop," Verene Shepherd told television program EenVandaag.
He might look similar to Father Christmas or Santa Claus, but ‘Sinterklaas’ (Saint Nicholas) is a very Dutch character loved by children and adults alike. His arrival in Amsterdam marks the official start of the city's festive season.
St. Nicholas — Sinterklaas in Dutch — arrives by steamboat from Spain in mid-November accompanied by a horde of helpers: "Zwarte Pieten," or Black Petes, who have black faces, red lips and curly hair, bringing presents and special treats for the children. He'll arrive in Amsterdam for the 75th time on Sunday, 17 November 2013, meaning this jubilee occasion will be extra special.
A public broadcaster produces a daily fictional news program about the doings of Sinterklaas and the Petes that is shown in public elementary schools for several weeks. On the evening of Dec. 5, families read poems and exchange presents to cap the Dutch-Belgian festival that is one of the main sources of the Santa Claus traditions.
Opponents of the tradition say Pete is an offensive caricature of black people. Supporters say Pete is a positive figure whose appearance is harmless. Opposition has been centered in Amsterdam, home to the Netherlands' largest black community.
Mayor Eberhard van der Laan this month said he would support changing Pete's appearance — but only gradually, as it has changed over time in the past. "If it appears that Amsterdammers feel pain as a result of this tradition, that's a good reason for new development," he said.
Organizers of the festival and the broadcaster also said they would be open to changes if people want them.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/dutch-reject-criticism-black-pete-tradition-20654437
http://www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/Ndtrc/Sinterklaas%20Intocht%20Amsterdam
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