Sinterklaas: Dutch Holiday Memories
- 28183 Views
- May 4, 2012
- 6
Shaping Cultural Experiences
Travel has been an integral part of my life since I was a young child. I grew up in a multicultural, bilingual home in the Netherlands with a Polish mother and a Dutch father. My
- 19156 Views
- May 10, 2012
- 7
Update & BBC News Link
A brief update: One interview video will be uploaded tomorrow evening. I believe the BBC News One-Minute World News provides well-balanced reporting of news, hence why I wanted to share it. Top stories on May
- 24545 Views
- May 11, 2012
- 5
From Nigeria to Boston
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VNkCazT_T4&feature=youtu.be
When you first meet Oluwagbeminiyi Osidipe, you encounter a very vibrant, friendly, and unique personality. Oluwagbeminiyi or Niyi – as she shortened her name for simplicity – was named by her mother, who had a “very personal experience” when she had her, Niyi explained. Niyi is a Yoruba Nigerian transplant who arrived in the U.S. in 2006. As one of the most densely populated (West) African countries, Nigeria derives its name from the river that spans its land. To the South, it borders the Gulf of Guinea to the Atlantic Ocean. Originally colonized by the British, Nigeria gained independence in 1960. Its main ethnic groups are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, who speak English and their own respective languages, while major religions include Islam, Christianity and indigenous beliefs. Niyi shares her story, her views on politics, cultural differences she’s embraced with humor, and what we can learn from each other by expressing curiosity. Her message is simple: travel enriches us through its exposure to new cultures, and enables us to grow.
- 13906 Views
- May 16, 2012
- 6
Mark Twain on Travel
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” (American author Mark Twain, Innocents Abroad).
Have you had the opportunity to travel (extensively, within your country, or even once abroad)? Can you relate to Twain’s sentiments? How does travel enrich us?
- 13997 Views
- May 19, 2012
- 19
Pleasing The Taste Palate
Food has the wonderful quality of uniting us no matter where we are. There is nothing partisan or narrow-minded about food. It simply invites us to indulge, create recipes, and share with others. Two of my favorite Polish dishes (included in collage) are pierogies and barszcz czerwony – a beetroot soup – served on Christmas Eve in Poland. How does food bring us together? What are some of your favorite dishes and why? Can food trigger memories?
- 14022 Views
- May 23, 2012
- 2
Stereotypes: Truth or Fiction?
DEFINING STEREOTYPES: “An idea or statement about all of the members of a group or all the instances of a situation.” (Merriam-Webster). Stereotypes enable bias and preconceived notions to perpetuate, but can also reveal valid
- 12877 Views
- May 29, 2012
- 4
Annual Human Rights Report
“The world changed immeasurably over the course of 2011. Across the Middle East, North Africa, and far beyond, citizens stood up to demand respect for human dignity, more promising economic opportunities, greater political liberties, and
- 11199 Views
- May 31, 2012
- 4
Euro Crisis & Emerging Stereotypes
Brief Crisis Breakdown Since the onset of the global financial crisis, or Great Recession, in 2007, the Eurozone has feared impending growing global debt levels, as well as sovereign debt within European countries themselves. In
- 11713 Views
- June 4, 2012
- 2
Remembering Tiananmen
Today marks the 23rd anniversary of Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests in Beijing, China. Inflation, a lack of career prospects, the fall of Eastern European communism, and political corruption, are all said to have fueled anger
- 13360 Views
- June 7, 2012
- 18
Coffee's Uniting Power
A cup of coffee can bridge cultural gaps. At least, that’s what Gizem Salgicil White, founder of Turkayfe.org, believes. Her organization aims to create awareness of Turkish culture, particularly within America. Gizem is a Turkish native,
- 5907 Views
- Nicolette
- December 6, 2013
- 3
- Local Culture News Travel
Childhood heroes carry a lot of great memories with them. Santa Claus, and the Easter Bunny (maybe even the Tooth Fairy) are often associated with family, togetherness and happiness.
Growing up in the Netherlands, we celebrated the arrival of Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) in harbor cities every year. As the story goes, Sinterklaas arrives from Spain by steamboat with his assistants, the Zwarte Pieten (Black Peters). Everyone sings “Zie ginds komt de stoomboot (“Look over yonder, the steamboat is arriving”)” in full anticipation of the Sint and his Petes. The “Petes” and their political correctness (some argue these Petes are slave-like) has long been debated. Their appearance represents their work in getting gifts to children through chimneys. Despite this debate, kids eagerly await Sinterklaas’ arrival and festivities kick off throughout the country.
Kids and adults get off from school and work and line the streets hoping to catch a glimpse of Sinterklaas and the Petes. And, if they’re lucky they might even catch pepernoten (gingerbread biscuits) and other candy that the Petes throw into the crowd. Once he’s left the steamboat, Sinterklaas rides his white horse, and the parade festivities start.
Celebrating Tradition
According to tradition, once Sinterklaas has arrived, parents instruct their kids to leave their shoes in the living room with a carrot for the horse. Sinterklaas determines each year if the child gets a gift based on behavior. Nice kids get a chocolate letter (typically, the first letter of their name) and other treats, while the “bad” kids supposedly get coal. Thankfully, my parents never left any coal…so, I can only assume I was on my best behavior!
A specially designated evening of “Sinterklaasavond” or “Pakjesavond” (which marks Sinterklaas’s departure to Spain) is the time when Sinterklaas leaves gifts for kids on their “doorstep.” Accompanying the gifts is a funny, personal poem specifically written for its recipient.During my childhood, we would often celebrate the holiday at my grandparents’ home. Grandma and grandpa would set the mood with plenty of snacks, music, and entertainment for all. They must have spent at least a few days preparing everything for our large family.
I will always fondly remember the warmth of my grandparents’ home and the connectedness to family and tradition. Sinterklaasavond was one of the best times of the year where we all came together. My grandpa would arrange a personal visit from Sinterklaas and his Petes, which only added to the excitement. After all, in school they would tell us that the Sint was a “very busy man with limited time” – so, we felt special that he would show up to our grandparents’ house just for us.
While I don’t live in the Netherlands anymore, my family upholds the Sinterklaas tradition each year. We exchange songs, memories, gifts and sweets to celebrate.
YOUR OPINION
Which holidays do you love best? Do you travel for the holidays? How important are holiday traditions? Have you learned about interesting, foreign holiday traditions?
Related
- What Is Intercultural Communication And Why Is It Important? - Commisceo Global on Developing Empathy and Cultural Understanding
- Abdullah on Learn About The CultureTrav Blog
- digitallessburn on Learning to Cook Uzbek Food in Brooklyn with The League of Kitchens
- How to Immerse Yourself in Local Culture While Traveling on How to Meaningfully Immerse Yourself
- Plan Your Dream Italian Summer: Hidden Gems and Must-See Spots – Scoop Trends on Savoring the Earthy Flavors of Umbria
Follow @Nicolette_O

Comments (3)
Nicolette
06 Dec 2014Reblogged this on Cultural Reflections and commented:
Re-sharing this post about the Sinterklaas holiday in the Netherlands.
bundesbarber
25 Dec 2013Interesting article! Normally, I travel to my Dad’s house, but today I’m all alone. Boo.
Nicolette
25 Dec 2013Thank you! It’s a big day in the Netherlands. Hope you have wonderful holidays and a great new year full of travel and laughter!