5th of December is a major event here. It is when the Old Greek bishop of a place now in Turkey, sails into Holland’s waters to bring gifts to all children. In the Dutch story, the bishop was living in Spain and had as helpers, Moorish children. He boards a ship, with his helpers, his white horse, gifts for all children, fully decked out in red robes with ermine trim, a tall miter on his head and a gold ‘shepherd’s staff’ in his hand and sails north. The event continues uninterrupted to this day In every town with a port; the above described menagerie arrives by boat. Children, parents, anyone remotely interested, gathers at the quay to greet the old man on his horse. This gaggle disembarks and parade through the town. Sweets of a specific nature are strewn, gawking children are approached by the Moorish helpers [they used to be threatened to be taken back to Spain, in a burlap bag if they were found to have misbehaved but apparently not any more]. A good time is had by all; a lovely story. Except for the fact that for decades, the ‘Moorish children’ were represented by blonde, white skinned Dutch persons with wigs, blackface and red lips. This representation went unnoticed until one day it was noticed. Now in addition to the above greeters, there are protesters at the quay and much comment on every available social media and print media platform. Yesterday, again I happened to have a discussion with a 40’s something mom. Every mom that I meet at that age, tells the same story: “IT isn’t about race or racism, the helpers faces are black because they have soot on them from going down the chimney. Indeed this whole band of merry folk does, just like Santa, squeeze down the chimney pipe.[Talk about suspension of belief if you have seen a Dutch stove pipe!] But yesterday having listened once to often to the excuse, asked: “Then do explain how the faces are already black when they disembark the ship; they have yet to encounter a chimney?” No answer.
Wikipedia: Sinterklaas has a good rendition of how they have tried to rewrite and sanitize the story.