The Dutch princesses Amalia, Alexia and Ariane are brought up in Dutch traditions, and their Argentina born mother Princess Máxima joins in without reserve.
The crown princely family therefore could be found on the streets of Wassenaar to welcome Saint Nicholas (Dutch: Sinterklaas) and his servants, in anticipation of his birthday celebration on December 5.
Sinterklaas, after whom Santa Claus and Father Christmas were formed, brings gifts to young and old, on the eve of his birthday.
Children sing songs, parents and adults wrap the gifts and mock each other in verse, and in the weeks leading up to December 5, sweets and small presents are already handed out. By Sinterklaas - originally a bishop from Turkey -and his helpers of course.
Prince Willem-Alexander, Princess Máxima and their three children joined the crowd in their hometown of Wassenaar, a suburb of The Hague, to see Sinterklaas and sing for him and his helpers, who are called 'Zwarte Pieten'.
The princesses, wearing a imitation 'Zwarte Piet' cap, were clearly intrigued and in awe by it all - firm believers as they will be at this age in the story of Sinterklaas, who according to Dutch folklore, resides in Madrid and each year travels by boat to the Netherlands.
The Sinterklaas tradition was voted Holland's number one tradition in a recent survey. It is to forwarded to UNESCO to be listed as Holland's 'immaterial world heritage'.
© GPD; Photos by © Dutch Photo Press, Patrick van Katwijk. Reproduction prohibited.
I am happy to see that the royals did not do "blackface" for their children like many in Holland do. I truly hope that the royals do not support the racist characterization in Zwarte Piet, and might speak up about it before it is considered for UNESCO's world heritage.
Posted by: Quest | December 06, 2008 at 02:49 AM
Before passing such judgement on a rich cultural tradition, please inform yourself. For instance: children do not dress up as Piet or Sint, they "just" believe in them. These figures transcend religion, race or politics.
Posted by: Pieter | December 07, 2008 at 02:39 PM