Sun, 8 November 2009
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Traditionally, in mid-November, two weeks before his celebrated Feast Day, Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands by boat from his home in Spain. Editor Natasha Gunn looks into the background to this long-standing tradition which culminates in present-giving on 5 December.Waiting for Sint's boat (Breda)
Accompanied by his white horse (Schimmel) and his helpers, the Zwarte Pieten (Black Petes), Sinterklaas or Sint Niklaas (Saint Nicholas) arrives in the Netherlands to signify the start of the holiday season. This event is broadcast live, and each year Sinterklaas arrives in a different city – last year in Kampen on 17 November, this year in the harbour of Almere in Flevoland province on Saturday, 15 November before travelling throughout the country. . 
This official arrival, on a Saturday, is followed on Sunday by Sinta's arrival in Amsterdam and he arrives, unofficially, anyhow in most towns and cities across the Netherlands and may still be on his way to you. Alkmaar 2007: Sinterklaas rides
Saint Nicholas's horse got stressed-out in Alkmaar and shook Sint off his back by sitting down.
Photo by Peter Kerkhove
If you've got young children and miss out on his arrival, don't despair, you'll see his tall (we're in the Netherlands after all) bishop-like figure everywhere, in shopping malls, in schools, and gracing parties across the Netherlands. Plus, Children can start participating from now by putting out their shoe at night and a carrot for the horse and a glass of milk (or wine) for Sinterklaas and his helpers. During the two weeks before his 'birthday', Sinterklaas 'rides across rooftops at night on his white horse, listening through chimneys for good children and leaving them treats and sweeties in their shoes. The build up is to the eve before his Feast Day (Sinterklaasavond), when Sinterklaas delivers gifts to good children and coal to children who have been naughty.
On Sinterklaasavond (5 December), children anxiously wait for Sinterklaas to knock on their door. Although Sint will usually have flown by the time they answer, a sack full of gifts will await them on their doorstep. Following Sinterklaas' visit, each member of the family takes turns handing out presents and unwrapping them. Names are printed on each gift, and almost every present is accompanied by a humorous poem about the gift's recipient. Check out our Sinterklaas Survival guide for more details and a link to a Sinterklaas poem generator.
Families celebrate Sinterklaas' Feast by singing songs and indulging in a feast of their own, which consists mainly of sweets like marzipan, chocolate initials, pepernoten (ginger biscuits) and hot chocolate with whipped cream.
through town.
Sinterklaas arrives in just about every city and town across the country every year, and not in just one city, as you've stated. He arrived in Rotterdam and Schiedam on Saturday.
"This official arrival, on a Saturday, is followed on Sunday by Sinta's arrival in Amsterdam and he arrives, unofficially, anyhow in most towns and cities across the Netherlands and may still be on his way to you"
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