写真

These days the children in The Netherlands are getting more and more excited already, because in only a couple of weeks Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) and his helpers are arriving in the country again. He comes all the way from Spain by boat and brings candy and presents for the children. During the weeks after he will visit every village and city to meet all the children who make drawings and wishlists for him and sing the traditional Saint Nicholas songs. On December 5th he will leave The Netherlands again, but not after he has left every child a present.
This picture is taken when he arrived by boat in Leidschendam last year. It is always a big happening for the small children and their parents who all try to get a glimpse of the Saint and his helpers.

The tradition of Saint Nicholas in The Netherlands and other parts of Europe, transformed later into the more commercialized Santaclaus version celebrated during Christmas.