Always the 5^th of December is a day full of anxiety for Dutch children as they nervously await the arrival of “Sinterklaas”. On his white horse Sinterklaas rides the roofs (mfa.nl) of the houses and gives presents to boys and girls that have been good. It’s a very old custom that dates back to the fourth century when the Turkish Bishop Nicolaos of Myra was revered for his many good deeds. In later years Saint Nicolaos’ grave in Demre, Turkey was robbed by pirates and his bones brought to Bari, Italy, which was then a Spanish colony. The myth of his good deeds spread from Spain to Holland until in the seventeenth century it was brought by Dutch settlers to New York where Sinterklaas evolves into Santa Claus who brings presents at Christmas time. And the white horse becomes a sleigh with reindeer. But horse or deer, I prefer the Oldsmobile. I have been a good boy, haven't I? (postcard: collection Hans Horwitz; photo of grave: Rutger Booy)

December 5, 2005