Organized by the Dutch parents at ISF, Sinterklaas made his annual visit to ISF on December 5th to all students in Kindergarten and Grades 1 & 2 and well behaving teaching and administration staff.
Dutch tend to see him as a kind old man, rather than as a Catholic saint. The result is that Sinterklaas is celebrated by Dutch people of all ages and beliefs, without any real religious connotations.Sinterklaas parties consist of jokes, rhymes, simple gifts camouflaged in strange wrappings and lots of festive fun and laughter. In the weeks before his feast day, Sinterklaas visits schools and hospitals to spread some good spirit!They all received a small bag of typical Dutch Sinterklaas’ goodies: Schuimpjes, Kruidnoten and Pepernoten. The Dutch celebrate Sinterklaas (the name is a contraction of Sint Nikolaas) on Dec. 5th and 6th.. The holiday, consisting of St. Nicholas’s Eve and St. Nicholas’s Day, honours the life of St. Nicholas.
St. Nicholas is especially famous for being kind to children and as a protector of seamen. He is also the patron saint of Amsterdam. Though St. Nicholas is always shown wearing his bishop’s attire, the Dutch tend to see him as a kind old man, rather than as a Catholic saint. The result is that Sinterklaas is celebrated by Dutch people of all ages and beliefs, without any real religious connotations. Sinterklaas parties consist of jokes, rhymes, simple gifts camouflaged in strange wrappings and lots of festive fun and laughter. In the weeks before his feast day, Sinterklaas visits schools and hospitals to spread some good spirit!