Children greet Saint-Nicolas
But tradition of black-skinned Père Fouettard is under threat
YOUNGSTERS across north-eastern France are today celebrating the arrival of Saint-Nicolas, the patron saint of school children.
Saint Nicolas or Sinterklass is honoured in many parts of Europe and notably in Alsace, Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Lorraine (where he is also patron saint) in France. Traditions vary but he is known for handing out sweeties to children – with his companion black-skinned Père Fouettard (or Hans Trapp or Zwarte Piet) menacing children who have misbehaved.
Families will also be baking speculoos or spiced gingerbreadmen biscuits and the brioche-like mannala which are eaten with chocolat chaud.
Last night children laid out their slippers beside the chimney with a carrot for Saint-Nicolas’s mule and a glass of wine for himself and today nursery schools welcome Saint-Nicolas in his red bishop’s outfit and mitre, long white hair and beard - the forerunner of Santa Claus.
However, the tradition of him being accompanied by black-skinned Père Fouettard is being challenged by some people who say it is racist. In parts of Belgium and the Netherlands he has already been dropped from the processions. There were demonstrations in Amsterdam against the inclusion of Père Fouettard, with banners saying “Zwarte Piet is racism”.
Photo: CrazyPhunk
