Every year around half November our national saint Sinterklaas (St. Nicolaas) arrives from Spain in the Netherlands by steamship. He is the Dutch variant of Santa Claus and brings presents for all children with the help of his knights Zwarte Piet (black Peter). Each city or village with a harbour has its own arrivel of the holy man, which is always a great event for children and parents. Also in Almere it is every year spectacular, but I missed the event this year because I had my own event to celebrate, my birthday. But I saw in the harbour that Sinterklaas has left his steamship with his own flag until he leaves after December 5th.
To give you an impression of the event I show you a picture I made last year.
The nicest thing to celebrate my birthday at this time of the year is that the shops are full of speciality Sinterklaas sweets as this yummie chocolate character I got as a present.
Or the ginger cookie filled with almondpaste.
I loved the Sinterklaas tradition when I lived in The Netherlands. Liked that is came before Christmas...making Christmas a lot less commercial...a family time.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenWow.......looks like a joyful event,the ginger cookie must taste as good as it looks!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenRuby
When is your birthday...my DH's is the 4th which we share the next day few days with St. Nic. How I would love to be in your country to experience this since we have been celebrating St. Nic since my childhood...very few others that I know do also in this country. Rather than a boat, St. Nic visits us on a beautiful white steed and once, a long time ago, I actually saw him as I hid behind a couch...no kidding, I swear I saw him enter our house with tangerines and small gifts that he put into my shoe after tucking a piece of coat into the toe...just a reminder!!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenFor goodness sakes, I got so exciting about thinking of St. Nic that I forgot to wish you a Happy Birthday!!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenGosh Marianne, the second image is amazing..so many people awaiting the arrival. Is it your birthday today? If so, very many happy returns, enjoy.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenFeestelijke foto's, het blijft een echt Nederlandse traditie.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI love hearing about all the different traditions!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenAch Marianne - bedankt voor de mooie fotos en het verhaal over Sinterklaas; doet me terugdenken aan mijn jeugd in Nederland (nou, dat is al vele jaren geleden !). 'Zie ginds komt de stoomboot uit Spanje weer aan...'
BeantwoordenVerwijderenMijn moeder koopt elk jaar nog chocolade letters voor de hele familie, en ook gevulde speculaas ! Heerlijk. Helaas worden die nu uitgedeelt met de kerst in plaats van 5 dec.
Fijne woensdag.
Kate,
BeantwoordenVerwijderenYou're right when Sinterklaas gets of the boat he sits on a white steed. You have a good memory, as a child I couldn't believe my parents put the presents in the shoes. My birthday was November 19th, mostly at the arrival of Sint Nicolaas. His birthday is December 5th indeed. But thanks for the best whishes.
Grace,
My birthday was a week ago November 19th, but thanks for the best whishes.
Hooray!! How lucky that you celebrate your birthday and everyone around you is celebrating, too!
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