NOT EVERYONE LIKES THIS DUTCH *NICHOLAS DAY*TRADITION - video Dailymotion

Sinterklaas is touring the Netherlands this time of the year. His little helper, however, regularly sparks controversy.

Transcript

00:00This time of the year, Sinterklaas and his helper Suarte Piet come to the Netherlands

00:03from Spain, according to folklore.

00:05He arrives in a steamboat each November on the Saturday following St. Martin's Day.

00:09The city he visits first changes every year.

00:11Well-behaved children receive presents from Sinterklaas on the 5th of December, the evening

00:15before St. Nicholas Day.

00:17It's a bigger holiday than Christmas.

00:19The ones who didn't behave get a visit from Black Piet.

00:22This tradition, however, has sparked controversy for years.

00:25What you see with the figure is that it's a clear sign of colonial nostalgia, because

00:31what we understand with the figure is the practice of telling black people what their place is

00:36in society.

00:37Some places have adjusted their tradition by changing name and appearance to Soarte Piet,

00:42referencing Chimney Suit.

00:43Nonetheless, critics say a deeper discussion about racist and post-colonial structures in

00:47society are necessary and can't be substituted with new makeup.

00:51What do you think?

00:52Does Piet need to change?