St Nicolas’s holiday
Is my topic for the day
Bishop of Myra, known for his generosity,
Made children in his town happy
https://fivedotoh.com/2022/12/05/fowc-with-fandango-topic/
Thanks for the challenge, Fandango 💛
St Nicolas’s holiday
Is my topic for the day
Bishop of Myra, known for his generosity,
Made children in his town happy
https://fivedotoh.com/2022/12/05/fowc-with-fandango-topic/
Thanks for the challenge, Fandango 💛
Also Moroccan children look forward
To St Nicolas, nowadays
Wish lists find their ways
To the holy man, who just got off board
This year, the holy man came by plane
Protesters; Amnesty International came
None of this, is practical or sane
Saint Nicolas & helpers do deserve fame
The fantasy element of holidays
Makes me ask, what we celebrate
Could it be going back to childhood days
Days of innocence, before meeting fate
It’s still Summer
People at the beach in lovely weather
Yet, St Nicolas candy is back
It’s three months the shops hack
St Nicolas today
A modest Christmas on its way
Reminiscence; finance closure
Looking to a new year with more allure
A generous bishop
Is celebrated in Protestant lands
This contradiction is no stop
To those, who want to fill children’s hands
@D
We do have
Freedom of opinion
And of expression
Yet, no right to misbehave
@D
Thanks, largely true… I’m not sure what to think. Traditions change over time. I predict Zwarte Piet will have to tolerate Colored and White Piets at his side, because in the end no one likes a fun celebration with painful elements to some people. It’s awkward. The racism-discussion concerning the Dutch Sinterklaas celebrations returns every Autumn; it started several years ago and gets larger every year. Now, even the United Nations have their say on it and say the Netherlands should abandon the whole St Nicolas tradition. @D
There is one sure way to really annoy the average Dutch person and that is to criticise the persona of Zwarte Piet. Not that we want to annoy anyone, you understand.
But we do think it pertinent to aware of the facts if you find yourself having the traditional Zwarte Piet discussion. Here are 10 essential pieces of information to help you argue your case, which ever side you are on.
1. St Nicholas’ death on December 6 was commemorated in the Netherlands for centuries. Way back in 1427 there are records of people setting their shoes at the St Nicholas church in Utrecht in the hope of getting a gift. The celebration was banned during the Reformation but the Dutch being the Dutch, continued to do it anyway. Sinterklaas or Pakjesavond is now celebrated on the eve of his death – or name day – December 5.
The Feast…
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