It is very busy in the Sinterklaas castle in Helmond. The holy man lives, works and sleeps there since Tuesday. He expects more than 33,000 children and parents in the coming weeks. “It’s cool that Sinterklaas sleeps in Helmond,” says 9-year-old Devon.
About 55 Piets are working in and around the castle. A new group of visitors arrives every seven minutes. The signpost will then give a tour of Sinterklaas’ accommodation. “It’s fantastic.”
One of the visitors who looks around with big eyes is 4-year-old Stijn from Geldrop. He walks through the castle like a real assistant Sinterklaas. He walks from the Pieten’s bedroom to the bakery. His eyes shine as he walks into the treasure room. There are all the presents for December 5th. Yet little Stijn has no more wishes. “I already got a dump truck. I don’t need anything else.”
“It’s magic.”
A room away is the Pietschool. “Here, the children learn everything they don’t learn at school,” Profpiet begins. “We walk on the roofs here, learn a special Piet dance and throw presents in the chimney.” It is hard work for the Piet volunteers, one group has only just arrived when the horn of the steamer sounds through the castle. The children have to go to the next room.
The crowds only give the professional extra energy. “It’s magic. It is fantastic that I can celebrate with the other Pieten that we are back in the Netherlands.”
“Sinterklaas was the nicest thing in the castle.”
Meanwhile, Stijn enters Sinterklaas’ room. But Sinterklaas is nowhere to be seen. After a short story, Sint suddenly comes out of his bedroom. The good saint is the first to see Stijn. “Sinterklaas how are you? I have a beautiful throne here, you can sit on it as Sinterklaas.”
And that impresses the four-year-old. “Sinterklaas was the nicest thing in the castle,” he says afterwards. “I was also allowed to sit next to him on the bed.” Parents are not welcome in the Sinterklaas bedroom, only children are allowed to take a look there and listen to Sinterklaas. But here too the ship’s horn goes off after seven minutes. The children are accompanied outside with a box of ginger nuts.
Devon (9) is standing at the carousel in front of the castle, he has just had the tour. “It’s cool that Sinterklaas sleeps in Helmond.” Still, Devon is happy that it’s done: “It was fun, but now I want to go home.”
