A Dutch community group in Illawarra refuses to retire a controversial Christmas character, despite most cities in the Netherlands phasing it out or banning it entirely.
A Dutch community group in New South Wales is refusing to retire the controversial Christmas character, Zwarte Piet, despite most cities in the Netherlands phasing it out or banning it entirely.
The practice has generated increasing outrage in recent years, but for the 67-year-old Dutch Australian Society in the Illawarra on the NSW South Coast, old ways die hard — or not at all.Sinterklaas, or Saint Nicholas, is the patron saint of children, sailors and ships The Netherlands celebrates the feast of Sinterklaas by exchanging gifts on December 5 on the eve of Saint Nicholas' name day
"It's been a point of discussion for a number of years in the Netherlands," Jos Kusters said, the secretary of DASI's Woonona clubhouse."I think there has to be a distinction between this tradition and offending somebody.
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