Impbrushes

LOOK AT FUSSY SALDEATH

I got even more curious, and learned that the concept of a “Father Christmas” as a figure separate from Saint Nick (he may even have his roots in the prechristian god Odin) has existed for centuries, though he’s often been considered analogous to the saint, just as the Saint Nicholas himself is perceived as being a slightly different figure from the Saint Nicholas who brings presents.  The name Santa Claus is really just an english-language corruption of the dutch-language corruption of Saint Nicholas’ name (Saint Nicholas - Sint Nicolaas - Sinterklaas - Santa Claus).

Hooray for Saint Nicholas of Myra, patron saint of sailors, children and cannibals, and my personal favorite of the 14 Holy Helpers!  He’s been an immensely popular saint throughout history, and is unusual in that he lived a good life, taking advantage of his family’s wealth to perform acts of great charity for everyone he could catch, and died of old age.  He’s the patron saint of Amsterdam, as well as other nautical/mercantile cities in Europe and around the world.

The feast of St Nicholas has been historically celebrated in Holland as gift-giving time (even in the more Calvinist parts of the country), though because of Holland’s ties with marine trade, his setup is a bit different.  He journeys to Amsterdam from sunny Spain, and his friend is the moorish Zwarte Piet, usually depicted in an old-timey blackface style that seems hilariously offensive to the american audience.  Though I am Canadian, my mother’s family came here from Holland when she was 2 so I’ve had a basic grasp on some Dutch traditions since I was a kid; I was a bit shocked to find Zwarte Piet hollow chocolates for sale at the local Dutch store a few years ago, and have always wondered how modern concepts like “not depicting coloured people as ridiculous caricatures” have affected the tradition.

Doing a quick google search to confirm the spelling of his name, I also discovered that a Liberal MP in my home province has gotten shit in the past few weeks for posing in a photo with a blackfaced actor at a Sinterklaas event in Halifax.  There have also been protests this year in Amsterdam regarding the Zwarte Piet tradition.  I guess that answers my question!