A controversial Sinterklaas party in which revellers in blackface celebrated the arrival of Saint Nicholas went ahead on Saturday despite protests against the tradition.
Dozens were dressed in brightly-coloured clothes with their faces painted black as they joined in the festivities in Rijswijk, western Netherlands, on Saturday.
The Sinterklaas festival celebrates the arrival of Saint Nicholas, who is traditionally accompanied by his companion Zwarte Piet.
The character first appeared as the nameless servant of Saint Nicholas in Sint-Nikolaas en zijn knecht, a book published in 1850 by Amsterdam schoolteacher Jan Schenkman.
A controversial Sinterklaas party in which revellers in blackface (right) celebrated the arrival of Saint Nicholas went ahead in Rijswijk, western Netherlands on Saturday
The festivities were joined by dozens of protesters (pictured), who stood behind metal barriers with signs reading ‘no more blackface’ and ‘Zwarte Piet is black sorrow’
On Saturday, revellers donned traditional Moorish attire, with a white ruff and feathered cap, as they took on the role of ‘Black Pete’ for the festival. Their faces were painted black and their lips red.
Those dressed as the controversial character were seen handing sweets and small favours to children during the event, as is tradition for Zwarte Piet in the festive period.
Another man was seen dressed in the traditional attire of Saint Nicholas.
The festivities were attended by dozens of protesters, who stood behind metal barriers with signs reading ‘no more blackface’ and ‘Zwarte Piet is black sorrow’ as police remained nearby.
The character first appeared as the nameless servant of Saint Nicholas in Sint-Nikolaas en zijn knecht, a book published in 1850
Those dressed as the controversial character were seen handing sweets and small favours to children during the festival
Revellers donned traditional Moorish attire, with a white ruff and feathered cap, as they took on the role of ‘Black Pete’ for the festival
Pictured: Two festival-goers dress as the controversial character Zwarte Piet on Saturday
Others held megaphones and wore T-shirts baring phrases against the practice as onlookers, who were said to mostly be supporters of Zwarte Piet, watched the protest on Saturday afternoon.
Those involved in the demonstration arrived to Rijswijk in two buses on the morning of the festival, Omroep West reported.
The group, Rijswijk Kan It, was allowed to demonstrate at the Sinterklaas festival for an hour, but local reports said the action group left earlier.
‘We will leave it at that, but if it comes to that, we will be here again next year’, a demonstrator said.
Another man was seen dressed in the traditional Dutch attire of Saint Nicholas (pictured)
Pictured: Saint Nicholas at Sinterklaas festival, which celebrates the arrival of the character
Protesters held megaphones and wore T-shirts baring phrases against the practice as onlookers
The group, Rijswijk Kan It, was allowed to demonstrate at the Sinterklaas festival for an hour, but local reports said the action group left earlier
‘We will leave it at that, but if it comes to that, we will be here again next year’, a demonstrator said
Pictured: Police on horses stand by at the entrance of the Sinterklaas festival in Rijswijk
‘But we hope that the municipality of Rijswijk realizes that a black Piet in a procession is no longer of this time and that we no longer have to stand here next year’.
The festival in Rijswijk came after the Utrecht district of Zuilen opted to cancel its Sinterklaas arrival party, which was scheduled for Saturday, after the organisers received ‘serious threats’.
The foundation in charge of organising the festival had opted to use Chimney Pieten characters – which have soot marks on their faces – instead of the traditional Zwarte Piet, NL Times reported.
The threats were said to have been sent anonymously through social media.
Pictured: Women dressed as Zwarte Piet walk through Rijswijk during the Sinterklaas festival
The festival in Rijswijk (pictured) came after the Utrecht district of Zuilen opted to cancel its Sinterklaas arrival party