For the first time this year, only soot sweepers participated in the Sinterklaas arrival in Drunen. At least, in the official part. Behind the official arrival was another small procession of Piets, completely black. In protest against the municipality’s decision to only use soot sweepers. Despite this action, the arrival was peaceful. “Sinterklaas is happy to be in Drunen again.”
Earlier this week it seemed to be a rather turbulent arrival. The municipality initially planned to tolerate Black Petes. And that is why Kick Out Zwarte Piet (KOZP) had announced that it would come and demonstrate at the arrival of Drunen. The municipality of Heusden therefore decided, together with the Sinterklaas committee, to organize a parade with soot-sweeping Piets.
But that decision did not go down well with a group of Zwarte Piet fans. A group of about twenty Black Petes therefore followed the arrival, with a decorated float. Even if this is at an appropriate distance and under the supervision of a number of boas. Claudia Laurens runs with this group as Black Pete. “Stubborn, just like Black Petes are. We always do this, so now too.”
Claudia has already received many positive reactions from the public, she says. “Children don’t see it and old people are just crying with joy. That’s how it should be.”
“We go for safety.”
Maikel Pijnenburg has been organizing the Sinterklaas arrival in Drunen for years. “It’s a shame that it has to be this way, but it doesn’t make it any less fun for the children,” he says. “Everyone is allowed to think what they think, but we go for safety.”
And that safety was not compromised, Peter Soeters saw. He is a boa and accompanied the procession of Black Petes. “It went well as far as we are concerned. They have adhered well to the agreement that they would remain at an appropriate distance behind the last float of the parade.”
According to Soeters, there were also no signals in the audience on the side of people who wanted to cause unrest. “Only happy children and parents.”
One of them was Jonathan. He is standing on the side with his children waiting until they can welcome the Piets. “It’s a lot of fun. Let’s keep it a fun children’s party and we will adapt if necessary.”
“We initially doubted whether we would come because of the threat of protests.”
A little further away is Marleen Klerks. She is happy that Black Petes are still following along at the back. “It’s a shame that it has to be this way. I think those Black Petes are much nicer to look at. I don’t understand what others think is wrong with that. Just leave it as it is.”
Yusuf is especially happy that it is safe. “For me it doesn’t matter what the Petes look like. Although we initially doubted whether we would come, because of the threat of protests. We were afraid it would get out of hand and we didn’t want the kids to see it. But luckily it’s a fun party.”
