Dutch Culture (photo borrowed from internet)

Sinterklaas

I have yet to see Sinterklaas since we were in Italy at the time of his arrival. I found the above photo on the internet.

Sinterklaas arrived by steamboat from the South of Spain (where he lives) on Nov. 18th this year. He rides a great white horse followed by a large parade with hundreds of Zwarte Pieten. Every night until Dec. 5th, the children set out their shoes by the fireplace or front door. Zwarte Piet runs over the roof tops listening at the chimneys for children singing traditional songs & drops (each night, every other night, or however often) sweets or a small gift in the waiting shoe.

December 5th:

On this night, a loud knock is heard at the door. When the front door is opened, a large sack of presents mysteriously appears. The presents are unwrapped as someone reads a poem which in Dutch tradition accompanies each gift. Family & friends write verses (and read them aloud) about each other, poking fun at personalites, foibles, jobs or other experiences, signed: Sint.

Sinterklaas quickly leaves Holland on Dec. 6th to return to the South of Spain until the next year.