“Please don’t make everything political, let this be a children’s party.” This was said by Flemish Minister of the Interior Gwendolyn Rutten (Open Vld) in the Flemish Parliament in response to the discussion surrounding Queen Nikkolah.
LOOK. Rutten in parliament about female Saint Nicholas: “Hou Sinterklaas a children’s party
In Ghent, a female, black Sinterklaas will perform in Ghent’s Vooruit on December 6. Originally, the alternative children’s party for those who have questions about the classic Santa Claus took place in the Ghent town hall, but N-VA resisted. The city council then canceled the act in city hall.
“Asking for misery”
Children with migration roots who do not recognize themselves in a Black Pete with frizzy hair and thick lips could exchange children’s books with colonial stereotypes during the event. “I don’t think this is a good idea,” Rutten responded. “Taking action on December 6 and then at city hall is asking for trouble. That’s why I thought it was a good thing that the mayor decided not to let the party go ahead.”
But at the same time she called for not making everything political. “Culture and art in this country are free and I will always defend that.”
Vlaams Belang: “Woke extremism”
Filip Brusselmans (Vlaams Belang) responded critically. “I know why Jan Jambon doesn’t want to come today. Because this Flemish government naturally facilitates this woke extremism. This Flemish government subsidizes and gives a platform to this.”
“I am very disappointed in your answer,” Nadia Sminate of N-VA responded to Rutten. “This initiative says that entire generations of Flemish people are racists. It is a shame that left-wing parties use a children’s party for a political battle of ideas.”
“Who am I to say that Santa Claus should not be a black woman?”: creator of ‘Day Sinterklaas’ Hugo Matthysen regrets ‘hassle’ around Sinterklaas celebrations (+)
Performance in town hall is canceled after the fuss, but Queen Nikkolah is welcome in 404: “We should not want to turn Sinterklaas into something else” (+)
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