Saint Nicholas - Sinterklaas

He is revered by children all over Europe. In December he drops presents down chimneys. It's not Santa, but Saint Nicholas, or Sinterklaas (in Dutch)!

In 2005, on November 12, the old Antwerp harbor was packed with 20,000 children (not counting their parents). They were singing and waving at a man who was dressed as a bishop with a long white beard, disembarking a steamboat. He was followed by an entourage of men in velvet suits, their faces and hands painted black. A brass band played, the mayor gave a speech. The city of Antwerp spent 118,000 Euros (US$143,000) on this event, which was broadcast on national television. Saint Nicholas, or Sinterklaas in Dutch, had officially arrived! Children would be on their best behavior until the 6th of December, Sinterklaas's feast day, when he will drop presents and sweets for them down the chimney.

Sounds like Santa Claus, but it most definitely is not. So who is this Saint Nicholas? What is his history? How is he celebrated over the world?

In this week's article, " Saint Nicholas in Belgium", we find out how Belgians celebrate "Sinterklaas" (in the Dutch-speaking Northern part of Belgium) or "Saint Nicolas" (in the French-speaking South). Over the next two weeks, we will investigate Saint Nicolas's many scary associates: Zwarte Piet, Krampus, Pere Fouettard, etc., and dig up Saint Nicholas's past.

Let us know your own Saint Nicholas stories! Join the discussion or send me an email!