It’s the time of year when many Dutch children eagerly await Saint
Nicholas, or Sinterklaas, as he is known here.
The night before December 6th, it’s customary for him to bring
well-behaved children presents.
But he doesn’t travel alone.
He’s accompanied by his controversial helper named
Piet.
More on him in a minute.
But why are they steaming into port in late November?
It’s so we have a little time to prepare by checking which children
have been naughty and also, to make sure Piet won’t have any problems
climbing safely onto the roofs.
Just making sure everything is in order so we can fill the kids’
shoes with candy.
That’s right.
And we also go over all the wish lists, so we know who’s
getting what present.
Here in Zandaam, just north of Amsterdam, excitement has been
building for this year’s arrival of Sinterklaas.
Piet plays an important role in the festivities.
Usually, several Piets show up to hand presents out to the children.
According to legend, they even climb down chimneys to do so.
But in today’s Netherlands, the Piet-figure has become
controversial because of his origin and background.
He used to be called "Zwarte Piet " or Black Piet, portrayed by white
people in blackface, with red lips, gold earrings and
a curly black wig.
For over a decade, artist and activist Quinsy Gario has
campaigned against "Black Piet ".
What you see with the figure is that it is a clear sign of colonial
melancholia and also colonial nostalgia, because what we
understand with the figure is the practice of telling black
people what their place is in society.
And their place is to serve white people.
The origins of "Black Piet’s " now controversial-form can be traced
back to the mid-19th century.
At the time, the Netherlands was a colonial power that had grown
rich from trading with spice and slaves.
After fierce debates between opponents and supporters of
the figure, recent surveys now show that the majority of Dutch people
believe "Black Piet" needs to be changed.
And in Zaandam he's a thing of the past.
Here, you’ll only find “Sooty Piet“ who might have stains on his face
from climbing down chimneys.
Around fifty volunteers of all ages slip into the role of "Sooty Piet "
to make the children happy.
This revamped version definitely has a secure fanbase among
the young ones.
But how does it go down with the parents?
When I was a little kid, all the Piets were very black, and I
didn’t know any better, but I think the way we do it now is
respectful to everybody.
And the kids don’t mind.
It was our “Zwarte Piet” but for them it is this Piet.
If the children don’t care, then we don’t neither.
It’s evolvement, I think.
It’s going with the time.
Slavery wasn’t officially abolished in the Dutch colonies till 1863.
The national slavery monument by Erwin De Vries in Amsterdam
commemorates this period.
But for Quinsy Gario, the debate about Piet's appearance signifies
a missed opportunity.
But I think what we’re seeing with the so-called solutions, is a means
actually not to confront this colonial nostalgia.
It’s not a means to actually discuss what are the structures
that are still within society that have their origins in
the colonial period.
And this practice and this cultural tradition is one of them.
The debate surrounding "Black Piet" is far from over, but it seems
that one day the younger generation will only know him as Piet,
the bringer of sweets and holiday cheer.