Sinterklaas Maassluis

Whatever the weather, there’s always a huge turnout on the quay in Maassluis to greet the arrival of Saint Nicolas (Sinterklaas). Many families have set out early to get a good spot. The umbrellas are out on this drizzly November morning but the crowd on the quay is in high spirits. Reedy children’s voices betray a sense of excitement mingled with a degree of reverence. Hardened by wind and weather, the old Sinterklaas needs no umbrella. He stands on deck alongside the wheelhouse as the Pieten (his helpers in blackface) ready the sacks of tiny festive pepernoten cookies. The town’s mayor, waiting on the pontoon to welcome him, has donned his chain of office in honour of his illustrious guest. Sinterklaas can look forward to a busy time, for lots of gifts have yet to be bought. The holy man prefers refined verse to material things, but he knows that those o so well-behaved children see things differently.