A school in the Dutch city of Utrecht has decided to ban Sinterklaas celebrations, replacing the long-standing tradition with a neutral ‘Children’s Party’. The new event will feature games and activities for all pupils, the school confirmed.
In Dutch tradition, Sinterklaas is a centuries-old figure based on Saint Nicholas, celebrated annually on December 5. He is depicted as an elderly bishop who—similarly to Santa Claus—hands out gifts to children, accompanied by helpers known as Zwarte Piet (Black Pete).
The feast has long been one of the country’s most cherished December traditions, though in recent years it has become the subject of intense debate because of the racial stereotypes associated with Piet.
Headteacher Janet Klein said that the Sinterklaas festivities had caused “unease and discomfort” among staff and parents for years. “I saw the pain the celebration caused for some,” she said.
Several teachers, some of whom have Surinamese backgrounds, felt the historical connotations of the festival remained problematic. Replacing Zwarte Piet with soot-smeared characters did little to change that, Klein noted.
Efforts to adapt the celebration—including using ‘Colour Petes’ or even a Black Sinterklaas—were ultimately not enough to remove the discomfort, prompting the move to a new, more inclusive festivity.
