We have received official notice that Sinterklaas will be visiting Camp Hendrik as well! On the morning of December 4th 2025 he will try to visit as many buildings and offices as possible. If you’ve been good, his Pieten might have something for you too!
Generally regarded as the Dutch equivalent of Christmas, Sinterklaas is an event where people get together with loved ones to exchange gifts, and is especially a big deal for young children who receive presents from Sinterklaas and his helpers the ‘Pieten’.
Like Santa Claus, the figure of Sinterklaas is based on Saint Nicholas, who in turn is believed to have been a bishop in the fourth century in Myra (in modern-day Türkiye). Stories say that Bishop Nicholas performed a number of miracles, resurrecting some young schoolchildren and saving sailors from a hurricane. Nicholas was canonised by the Catholic Church following his death on December 6, 342, as the patron saint of children.
Sinterklaas wears a long red cape over the traditional white bishop’s garb, a large red hat, and a large ruby ring, and carries a long shepherd’s staff, as well as a large red book which he uses to keep a record of the behaviour of all the children, and occasionally adults too. Since at least the 19th century, ‘Sint’ has been accompanied by a gang of helpers, known as the Zwarte Pieten (Black Piets), who wear brightly coloured clothing and feathered caps, and entertain the children and give out sweets and presents. However, since the traditional Pieten usually put on blackface and wore bright red lipstick and gold earrings, the figures have become increasingly mired in controversy, as we know. Which have resulted in the transformation of Zwarte Piet into roetveegpiet (“Sooty Piet”), who is covered in smudges of soot as a result of his work travelling up and down chimneys to deliver gifts and sweets to children.
From the day that Sinterklaas officially arrives in the Netherlands, late November, the celebrations begin! Various arrival events, or “intochten”, are held all over the country to welcome Sinterklaas and his team parade through the streets. As of this time the children put a shoe out in the evening in front of the Chimney, with a drawing for Sinterklaas and maybe a carrot for his horse ‘Ozosnel’, in the hope that it’s filled with sweets and perhaps even some small gifts when they wake up the next morning. Pakjesavond, which translates to “present night”, is simply what Dutch people call the night of December 5, when friends and families get together to exchange gifts or poems that they've written about each other, known as a surprise. They might play games on pakjesavond, and enjoy eating all of the delicious sweets and snacks that are tradition at this time of year. On the 6th of December, Sinterklaas and his helpers quietly leave…