During the war, the Dutch holiday called Sinterklaas played some role during the German occupation. Sinterklaas is a Dutch holiday being celebrated for years, also during the war. There are some interesting stories regarding this holiday, one with the R.A.F. and another by Dutch people in hiding for the Germans. This holiday is always on the 5th of December. One warning for people unknown to this holiday. It could be viewed as racist since black face is used. This post is pure for the purpose of the role it played during the war R.A.F. flyers On the 5th of December, the R.A.F. would drop small boxes over the Netherlands, filled with candy and a little 'surprise for Hitler'. It contained a flyer with a drawing of Hitler, getting spanked by "Zwarte Piet" while Mussolini is watching, captured in a bag (the saying goes, that children who don't behave, will be sent back to Spain with Sinterklaas, in a burlap bag). There was also a Dutch rhyme printed on the flyer (see picture). In hiding A lot of people during the war, got in hiding for the Germans since men could be forced by the Germans to do labour (Arbeitseinsatz). One story goes: Jean van Dyck from Maastricht would dress up as Sinterklaas in 1943, to be able to walk in public and not get recognized by the occupiers. He was able to visit is family and children after a long time in hiding. His children were a bit confused while hearing their fathers voice and same shoes as he always whore, but wouldn't give out his disguise. Racial issues One year later, Sint Nicolaas (as Sinterklaas is called) arrives on a Sherman tank in Maastricht when the city is liberated by the Americans. Since Sint Nicolaas his 'workers' use black face (called Zwarte Piet / Black Pete), this caused a big uproar in the units with black soldiers, located in Maastricht. Because this caused such a issue, the Dutch promised "to never use black face while black soldiers where in the Netherlands". This issue is still relevant to this day and the discussions is still going on whether to use black face or not. Sinterklaas in Maastricht during the war Sinterklaas in Rucphen, the Netherlands
Well, Zwarte Piet was still in evidence in Brunssum in the 1980s, despite HQ AFCENT (also in the town) having some black soldiers. Chris
Sinterklaas is the greatest time of the year for a kid. It's so interesting that this story started during world war two. I guess people needed hope and a glimmer of happiness. I visited Netherlands one winter, it was on the 5th of December when I found out about this tradition and was stunned to see people with their faces painted black. I didn't know dutch that well but I had bought this dictionary https://www.amazon.com/Dutch-Frequency-Dictionary-Vocabulary-Dutch-English/dp/9492637340 and managed somehow to ask a girl why. She answered without judgment that it was because Black Pete had a dirty face from climbing down the chimneys helping Santa deliver presents.
