The Northern Times
  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Culture
  • People
  • What’s happening
  • Economy
  • Opportunities
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Culture
  • People
  • What’s happening
  • Economy
  • Opportunities
No Result
View All Result
The Northern Times
No Result
View All Result

Organizers of Leeuwardens’ Sinterklaas parade withdraw over Zwarte Piet discussion

October 12, 2021
in Uncategorized
Home Uncategorized

The organization “Stichting Sinterklaas Intocht Leeuwarden” (SSIL) announced that it won’t be organizing a Sinterklaas parade in Leeuwarden this year. The SSIL is afraid that protests against the contested tradition could dominate the annual event.

By Mehret Haile-Mariam

Sinterklaas

The feast of Sinterklaas is an annual celebration taking place on December 6. The arrival of Sinterklaas in mid-November, together with his helpers referred to as “Zwarte Pieten”, is one of the most popular holidays in the Netherlands. Traditionally, Sinterklaas is accompanied by the so-called “Zwarte Pieten,” dark-skinned figures impersonated by white people wearing blackface, painted large red lips and black curly wigs.

Origins of Blackface

Blackface gained popularity in the United States during the 19th century, as white performers painted their faces black to mock enslaved Africans in minstrel shows. Africans would be mimicked and depicted as lazy, hypersexual, and ignorant. Although blackface has lost its popularity in the 21st century and has been labelled as highly offensive and disrespectful towards people of African descent, other countries continue the practice. 

“Grey Piet”

No wonder these festivities surrounding Sinterklaas and his helpers have been accompanied by counter protests for nearly a decade now. Many argue that the depiction of “Zwarte Piet” is highly insensitive and perpetuates racist stereotypes about Black people.

The SSIL considered going with a “Grey Pete,” hoping to circumvent protests while satisfying the desire of people in favour of the tradition. However, the activist organization “Kick Out Zwarte Piet” (KOZP), which was founded back in 2014 and advocates for the abolishment of the “Zwarte Piet” tradition on Sinterklaasavond, objected. 

After Elvin Rigters, KOZP activist, “Grey Pete” would only represent a light-version of “Zwarte Piet.”  

Protest

As the activists of KOZP were not going to back down, the SSIL did. The organizers, afraid of the backlash they might face, decided to withdraw. According to the SSIL, the public’s safety was central in their decision-making process.

Past celebrations had seen clashes between proponents and opponents of this tradition, as right-wing supporters instrumentalized the conflict to spread their racist ideologies.

Photo by A. v. Z. on Flickr

 

Tags: blackfaceKick Out Zwarte PietLeeuwardenprovince of groningenSinterklaas

Related Posts

The Northern football clubs’ monthly round-up: August
Sports

The Northern football clubs’ monthly round-up: August

August 28, 2023
FC Groningen: A Fallen Giant Lifted by Its Supporters
Sports

FC Groningen: A Fallen Giant Lifted by Its Supporters

August 16, 2023
Dutch women’s football team roars into the World Cup
Sports

Dutch women’s football team roars into the World Cup

July 19, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular News

  • Father and six children from Ruinerwold lived in basement for years waiting for the end of time

    Father and six children from Ruinerwold lived in basement for years waiting for the end of time

    2872 shares
    Share 1148 Tweet 718
  • Scottish company working on ferry service between Edinburgh and Eemshaven

    1827 shares
    Share 731 Tweet 457
  • German students score rap hit with “Bonnetje Mee”

    1730 shares
    Share 692 Tweet 433
  • Two COVID-19 Coronavirus cases confirmed in Province of Groningen

    1491 shares
    Share 596 Tweet 373
  • Olympic champion Epke Zonderland now a doctor

    1374 shares
    Share 550 Tweet 344
The Northerntimes is powered by: TopDutch

No Result
View All Result
  • Arts
  • Contributors
  • Covid-19 News
  • Covid Chronicles
  • authority
  • personal
  • photo reportage
  • professional
  • Crime
  • Culture
  • Drenthe
  • Dutch history
  • Econ 050
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Eurosonic Noorderslag
  • Friesland
  • Groningen
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Make it in the North
  • National
  • News
  • Nightlife
  • Opinion
  • Opportunities
  • Education
  • People
  • Expats
  • International students
  • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Sports
  • submitted articles
  • Top Dutch Business
  • Travel
  • Typical Dutch
  • Ukraine
  • Uncategorized
  • What’s happening
  • World

Welcome Back!

OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Submit a article

Send in an article to be published on The Northern Times.

Send a news tip

Got a story idea or want us to be aware of anything?