2023-11-28 15:13:00
Like every year, Saint-Nicolas, patron saint of schoolchildren celebrated on December 6, arrives on a boat from Spain. Saint-Nicolas is accompanied by the whipping father (Zwarte Piet). They bring gifts for the children through the chimneys of the houses. On Sunday, November 19 in the followingnoon, Saint-Nicolas docked in the port of Ghent. Many children were waiting for their patron saint on the quays. They gave him their letter and sang the traditional welcome song known throughout Flanders: “Zo Gents komt de stuumbuut uit Spanje weer aan. Hij brengt ons Sint-Nicolaas, ik zie hem al staan.”
Saint-Nicolas inclusive
This year, however, an alternative to the traditional festival celebrating the “patron of schoolchildren” was imagined in the town of Artevelde. The coming of a female Saint Nicholas… named “Queen Nikkolah” should have taken place on December 6 at Ghent town hall. “Queen Nikolah” is a character created by artist Laura Nsengiyumva, who challenges conventional boundaries between cultures and genres. This “inclusive” initiative has been taking place for several years in certain cities in Europe. “The objective is to approach the feast of Saint Nicholas in a different way, a celebration open to all and respectful of other cultures,” underlined the city of Ghent.
The euphoria surrounding Black Saint Nicholas was short-lived. The initiative immediately provoked a clear and clear “no pasaran” from many residents of Ghent. Many saw it as a way of putting the traditional Saint-Nicolas celebration on the back burner. Within the majority, made up of Open VLD, CD&V, Vooruit and Groen, the initiative did not arouse great enthusiasm either. After consulting with the college of aldermen, mayor Mathias De Clercq (Open VLD) finally decided, Monday before the municipal council. The arrival of a female Saint Nicholas, planned for December 6 at the town hall of Ghent, has been canceled. “Our objective is to bring together, not to divide,” observes Mayor De Clercq. However, more than 200 people had registered for this event.
The Vooruit moves forward
According to Alderwoman Hafsa El-Bazioui (Groen), the organizer was looking for another place to organize an alternative Saint Nicholas Day. Alderwoman Groen called Queen Nikkolah “an initiative that makes sense in Ghent”. All is not lost, however, because in the meantime, the Ghent cultural center Vooruit has confirmed that the same event around “Queen Nikkolah”, also scheduled for December 6, is still going ahead. “I think the city’s decision is a bit hasty,” confided the general coordinator of Vooruit, Franky Devos. “This is an incredible celebration for children that shows the diversity of the world. And this party can coexist perfectly with the other. Children can also come to both parties,” he added. We announce that to date, the event at Vooruit, by reservation and intended for Ghent youth organizations, is sold out.
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