Zwarte Piet, Saint Nicholas’s helper, will only have soot marks, says broadcaster NTR

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The Dutch public broadcaster has announced that it will change the appearance of the traditional Christmas season character Black Pete, whose blackface outfit sparks annual controversy.

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NTR said the character of Zwarte Piet – the helper of Saint Nicholas, or Sinterklaas as he is known in Dutch – would this year only have soot smudges on his face for his official arrival in November.

“The NTR respects both tradition and change, but it is our public duty as an independent public broadcaster to reflect these changes in society,” the broadcaster said on Wednesday.

“Therefore the Black Petes this year will have soot on their hands and faces because they came through the chimney.

“They will have different types of hair and will not be wearing golden earrings.”

Black Pete’s character is usually performed by an adult with a blacked-up face, wearing an afro wig, earrings, gaudy costume and red lips – a costume that has increasingly come under fire for being a racist stereotype.

Critics say his Afro hair, black skin, red lips and earrings are a reminder of the era when the Netherlands exploited slaves, notably in Surinam.

But many Dutch strongly defend the traditional Black Pete, with the most common explanation being that his face is black because of soot from the chimneys he descends to bring presents to excited children.

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The broadcaster added that “we produce this programme for the whole of the Netherlands and therefore we would like to involve as many people as possible in these changes.”

Its decision appeared to trigger the start of what has become an annual debate in the Netherlands over the issue.

“Oh boy, I’m not watching,” tweeted Remco Dijkstra, an MP from Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte’s VVD party, in response to the announcement.

Protests – on both sides of the debate – are scheduled this year for the arrival of St Nicholas, which is due on 17 November in Zaanstad, north of Amsterdam, before the festival of Sinterklaas on 5 December when the Dutch traditionally give each other presents.

• This article was corrected on 4 October 2018. An earlier version said Zwarte Piet was Santa’s helper when he is Saint Nicholas’s.