Although he looks a bit like Father Christmas or Santa Claus, ‘#Sinterklaas’ (Saint Nicholas) is a very Dutch character loved by children and adults alike. His annual arrival and parade in Amsterdam and the traditional festivities that follow are a real treat! Saint Nicholas has had close ties with Amsterdam since 343 AD. Legend has it that Sinterklaas originally came from Turkey as St. Nicolaus, the Bishop of Mira, an honourable man who was kind to children. No one really knows why he then chose to live in Spain but historians point to the Spanish domination over the Netherlands in the past. The medieval attire of Sinterklaas’ assistants, the Zwarte Pieten, is equally mysterious, leading one to conclude that they must have been stuck in chimneys for an awfully long time. Hence the sooty faces and time-warped costumes. ‘#ZwartePiet’ (literally: ‘Black Peter’) remains the subject of debate in Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands. Amsterdam is actively facilitating this discussion and is keen to remain in close contact with all concerned parties. Once Sint is in town, children lay out their shoes before bedtime, along with water (or wine) and a carrot for the horse, in the hopes that there will be a gift left there by morning. The very good kids are usually rewarded with chocolate letters and marzipan while the naughty anxiously wait to see if they’ve been given coal, again. Although the feast of Saint Nicolas falls on 6 December, the evening of 5 December is the main gift-giving occasion during the holiday season in the Netherlands. Called '#sinterklaasavond' (Sinterklaas evening) or 'pakjesavond' (presents evening), Sint drops off a sack full of gifts on the doorstep before heading back to Spain. Following his late-night visit, much like at Christmas, everyone unwraps their presents from and reads aloud the poems that have been written especially for each recipient. The author of these light-hearted poems remains anonymous. The day ends with songs and a nap-inducing feast, with treats like marzipan, chocolate letters, pepernoten (spice biscuits) and hot chocolate with whipped cream. #GlobeFacts via iAmsterdam | globe : 50cm in Cobalt | www.bellerbyandco.com