Posts

Sinterklaas
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Sinterklaas arrives to Haarlem!

Sinterklaas and his Pieten arrive by steamboat and moors on the Spaarne on 18 November in Haarlem. A fun and festive activity for the whole family, starting from 13.00, Sinterklaas and his Pieten arrive on his famous Steamboat along the…
Zwarte Piet
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Dutch History; Zwarte Piet.

Zwarte Piet is a controversial character – whether you believe him to be racist or not, in this article we will be taking a look instead at Zwarte Piets’ history, where did he come from, and who exactly is he. Zwarte Piet (Black Pete)…
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My First Sinterklaas

This past weekend on the evening of December 5th, I celebrated my first Sinterklaas. I first learned of the old Dutch custom earlier this year when moving to Haarlem with my Dutch boyfriend. As a Canadian new to the tradition, I would like…
Sinterklaas
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Sinterklaas versus Santa Claus

They both work in the same sector, wear red, and have a big white beard. For Piet's sake: what's the difference?  The Big Day Sinterklaas: Sinterklaas' "heerlijk avondje" / delicious is 5 December, although Sint arrives with a steamer…
Sinterklaas
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Sinterklaas in Haarlem

Sinterklaas is coming to Haarlem on November 19 at 13:00! He will be arriving on his steamboat on the River Spaarne! You do not want to miss this event! There will be a major parade with the following route: Spaarne, Damstraat, Oude Groenmarkt,…
Sinterklaas 101
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Sinterklaas 101: The Festive Period Dutch Style

It's that time of year! Sinterklaas has arrived and with him many traditions. *ahem* some you may not like *ahem* Here is a basic break down of what this all means and what traditions you may want to take part in.  Sinterklaas 101. Sinterklaas…
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Hij komt. Sinterklaas arrives!

This Sunday 13 November, St Nicholas will once again be arriving on the river Spaarne to visit the city centre of Haarlem. The boat is on its way. Nearly half filled with presents, chocoladeletters and pepernoten but who and what will…
Gifts
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Top tips in choosing gifts for children for the holiday season

The holiday season can be a period of frenzy for most parents. With all the assortment of toys and gadgets, parents feel the pressure in choosing the right gifts that not only will be appreciated but would hopefully also benefit their development. So…
Gevulde Speculaas uit het Grote Sinterklaas Kookboek
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Gevulde Speculaas uit het Grote Sinterklaas Kookboek (Dutch)

Sint is in het land en dat vieren wij. Met een enorme plak gevulde speculaas. Heerlijk voor kinderen èn volwassenen. Het recept komt uit Het Grote Sinterklaas Kookboek. Inderdaad: dat is hét grote boek voor de bak- en braadpiet! Yolanda…
Dutch Language exercise: Sinterklaas & Zwarte Piet

Dutch Language exercise: Sinterklaas & Zwarte Piet

Dutch Language exercise: choose the correct answer for each of the gaps. Sinterklaas woont in Spanje en Zwarte Piet is zijn helper. De Sint is een oude plan man maan baan met een lange witte baard. Hij heeft een mijter op zijn hoofd…
Intocht Sinterklaas
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Hij komt. Sinterklaas arrives!

On Sunday, November 15th Sinterklaas (Santa Claus) will be back with his helpers in Haarlem.  The boat from Spain is on its the way. Nearly half filled with presents, chocolate letters and pepernoten but who and what will Sinterklaas…
Haarlem City of Light
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Haarlem City of Light

Tonight the festivity lights will be put on. Where in the city do you like the illuminations most? 25 years ago, in 1990, the Stichting Haarlem Lichtstad (Haarlem City of Light Foundation) was founded. Since then the Haarlem City of…
Zwarte Piet Debate – A Call to Action (Photo DW)

Zwarte Piet Debate – A Call to Action

Not your typical Zwarte Piet Debate article - this one isn't opinionated, but written from a Nonviolent Communication-based mediator’s—Cara Crisler—point of view with a call to action for mutual understanding and compassion. The…
An interview with Sinterklaas (Photo: Rodi)
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An interview with Sinterklaas

The Shallow Man recently had the dubious honor of interviewing the world’s angriest not black man, Zwarte Piet. Like many of his supporters, I found him to be very emotional, irrational and downright aggressive. There were a number of questions…
An interview with Zwarte Piet (Photo: de Volkskrant)
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An interview with Zwarte Piet

The Shallow Man, in his never ending quest to fulfil the requests of his readers, went to great efforts to secure an interview with the man who is a hero to so many Dutch children. A man, that to many represents the very essence of Dutch culture,…