The Story of Sinterklaas Festival in Amsterdam

It goes like this: every year on December6 the Dutch celebrate Sinterklaas in honor of Saint Nicholas - Klaas is the nickname of Nicholaas. St Nicholas is the patron saint of children, sailors, merchants, pawnbrokers - and Amsterdam. So in mid-to late November, the saint , dressed as a bishop with mitre and staff, arrives in Amsterdam by ship from "Spain" and enters the city to receive the keys from the mayor. He is accompanied by Black Peters who throw sweets around and give gifts to the well-behaved children.