Sinterklaas explained
In the fourth century a.d. St. Nicholas (in dutch called "Sinterklaas" or "Sint Nicolaas"; in german called "Sankt Nikolaus") was the bishop of Myra, which is now situated in Turkey. According to the legend, he saved his town from starvation. He is also said to have revived three dead children, and to have offered gifts of dowries to poor girls. Some sources say that he died on the sixth of December in 343. In 1087 his relics were taken to Bari in Italy. It is unclear why, according to the Dutch tradition, he comes from Spain. Possibly it has something to do with the fact that St. Nicholas was the patron of sailors. In the 17th century Holland was famous for its navigation. Maybe by contact with Spanish sailors this myth began. It could also explain why St. Nicholas has "zwarte (black) pieten" to help him because the Moors dominated Spain for several hundreds of years. (Another [more popular] explanation for "zwarte piet" being black is that he has come down the chimneys so often [see below] that he can't wash the dirt off.)
His legendary gifts of dowries to poor girls led to the custom of giving gifts to children on the eve of his feast day, 6 December. The companions of St. Nicholas (in Germany and Austria they are called "Knecht Ruprecht" or "Krampus") show the victory over evil. Together with his "pieten" he visits children to punish the evil ones and to reward the good ones. The worst punishment is to be taken to Spain in "zwarte piet's" bag out of which the good children get the sweets (called "pepernoten", "taai-taai", or "schuimpjes") and presents. A less radical punishment is to get the "roede" (rod) instead of presents. Nowadays there are not much evil children any more...

A few weeks before his feastday St. Nicholas comes to Holland (and Belgium) on his steamer with all his "pieten" and the presents which they prepared in Spain during the year. This event can be seen on Dutch television. From his arrival in Holland till his feastday the children can put their shoes in front of the fireplace. During the night St. Nicholas visits all the houses by travelling over the roofs on his horse, traditionally a white/grey (called "Schimmel" in dutch), and "zwarte piet" enters the houses through the chimney to put little presents in the children's shoes. Sometimes the children put straw, carrots and water near the shoe for the horse.

On the eve of his feast day St. Nicholas visits all children. After knocking on the door he gives them a bag full of presents (if they were good children). Early in the morning of 6 December, when he has visited everyone, he leaves and goes back silently to Spain, to come back next year.

In Austria, St. Nicholas comes on the 6th of December. We do not have those "black" guys, he comes together with a kind of "devil" named Krampus. The rest is the same. Great shot.

interesting story and funny picture, well done :o)
Chris

Well, i am not sure or Sinterklaas is reading this, but i would like to have a macro lens as a gift ! Thanks in advance Sinterklaas :-)

so colorful... Intereting information! :)

Like in Austria, we celebrate Saint Nicolas on 6th december in Belgium.
The devil is called "Père fouettard" (Whipper guy)
Mmmhhhh! Chocolates, gifts, ... :-))

Interesting that in America, the evil ones are completely gone.only Santa comes........good photo and merci for the histoire too.

Well Sinterklaas if you are reading this I want to have a new camera with a good zoom in because I do not have a good one at all, but I guess I have to dream on. nice picture Paul and a great story

Twinkel

Please please bring me a Cannon 5D this year Sinterklaas. LOL. That's a great shot. Good work.

I would ask for what Hans and Frank asked for, but I know that's not going to happen. I'd have to have been a saint all year, not to mention quite a bit younger! lol Thanks for that wonderful story about Sinterklaas. There are so many similarities in all the traditions that have St. Nicholas. In Russia, an old woman, Babushka, leaves things for the children. These are indeed special personages for children everywhere. Thank you, Paul.

I heard this originally on Antiques Roadshow because supposedly this is also the origin of "golliwogs". Interesting that during the politically correct eighties they were frowned upon as "racist", but in reality as the lady explained, originally the characted was a hero (and if the second part of the explanation is true, ie the art about the characted being black because of chimney soot, then it has nothing whatever to do with race in any case). Your story added a bit more to that information, thank you!

Great shot Paul.. and wonderful description... its great to hear and see the different Christmas celebrations..

Interesting capture and cultural tale. Thanks for bringing this to us.
Russ

Absolutely bizarre! And lovely. The colours in this are superb. As good as I've seen I think. Awesome work my friend.

A wonderful capture Paul as well as a great narrative. The colors are bold and the image has great clarity and good composition. Here, we have celebrated the feast of St. Nicholas on the night December 5th. The children would put their shoes outside their bedroom door and St. Nicholas would leave them gifts in their shoes as well. I am very, very proud to say that my children are carrying that tradition on with their children! It warms my heart to know that something I did many,many years ago will hopefully continue long after I am gone. Thank you for taking me down memory lane as well as giving me a wonderful education. Greatly appreciated Paul ;=)