Gerie Smit is the only Volendam editor at NH Nieuws. And so she often gets questions about the ups and downs in the often stubborn village on the Markermeer. In recent years, this has often been about Zwarte Piet and why he has become a symbol of resistance. Now that he is also disappearing in Volendam, Smit explains how that discussion has been experienced in recent years. And why the village has gone the other way.
First back to the beginning. Early last century came the Good Saint and Zwarte Piet already with a botter (fishing vessel) in the harbor of Volendam. A festive welcome with hundreds of Volendam residents on the dike. He then rode his white gray through Volendam. He has been doing this for over a hundred years now. From this year on, Zwarte Piet is no longer welcome and that is against the sore leg of many Volendam residents.
Fellow villager Dick Bond knows our village character like no other. As a volunteer at the Volendams Museum, he is a specialist: “A Volendam man has certain character traits. Resistance has been in our genes for a very long time.”
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He explains that the opposition to the abolition of Zwarte Piet must be placed in a much longer historical context. Bond goes directly back in time a few hundred years: “More than 95 percent of the Dutch above the rivers became Protestant in the sixteenth century.” The Reformation, also known as the Reformation, was an influential sixteenth-century movement that led to the emergence of Protestant churches. But not in Volendam.
“We say that Edammers are cross, but Volendam people are cross”
Bond: “The Volendam people remained Catholic, while all the villages and towns around us, like Edam, became Protestant. We often say that Edam people are bad, but Volendam people are bad,” he laughs.
Racism
The activists who argue for the abolition of Zwarte Piet – and who found their way to Volendam last year – believe that Volendam people are racist by sticking to tradition. “Nonsense,” says Bond. “Because Volendam is the largest migrant village in the Netherlands. Since the seventeenth century, people of Jewish descent who have converted to Christianity and Germans have come to Volendam for seasonal work. And they have stayed. Everyone is welcome.”
And so Bond goes on about our history and how we have received refugees in times of war. But those weren’t people of color. “They weren’t here then, but they are also welcome. Who says they aren’t?”
The Zwarte Piet discussion and protests mainly took place in the big cities. In Volendam, the Sinterklaas party with dozens of Zwarte Piets continued. Because this was not going to change here, was the prevailing thought. That is simply not possible because then the helpers, often played by family members, are recognized. And we ‘Volendammers’ don’t think Zwarte Piet is racist.
In recent years the discussion has moved further into the country and as well-known as Volendam is, it was only last year that the anti-Zwarte Piet demonstrators found their way to our fishing village. According to the action group Kick Out Zwarte Piet, Volendam is still one of the few municipalities where traditional Zwarte Piet walk around during the arrival. They announced a demonstration last year, but the arrival was ultimately canceled due to corona.
Spontaneous demonstration
But the day before Christmas Eve they are suddenly there. From my living room – I live right in the center I hear drums and screams. A colleague calls: “Geer! Kick Out Zwarte Piet is demonstrating.” It is an unannounced action that immediately gets out of hand.
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Kick Out Zwarte Piet attacked in Volendam – NH Nieuws
I run out and almost slip on the eggshells. On the market is a large bus containing the demonstrators who are pelted with oliebollen and eggs by Volendam residents. I am not proud of my fellow villagers. Why does this have to be done by force?
We find out that market saleswoman Ingrid was one of the first who eggs towards the anti-Zwarte Piet protesters threw. Ingrid is furious: “We have one party here and that is Sinterklaas with Zwarte Piet, and it is always put into a corner by such a group. That is why I bought two boxes of eggs when they arrived here and I started throwing. ” Ingrid’s video is viewed massively.
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The next day Ingrid calls us in tears. “Please delete all posts about me as I am being threatened via Facebook,” she says. In good consultation with Ingrid, we decide to keep everything online.
A week later I visit Ingrid at her Tupperware stall on the market in Volendam. It is full of flowers. “Van Volendammers,” she says. “Who want to put a heart to me.” She doesn’t want to react in front of the camera, but at the end of the day announces that she has sold out her entire stall.
Not enough
In the meantime, the Zwarte Piet discussion continues and Volendam is also changing. During the various Sinterklaas events in the village, other types of helpers are also involved. It is not enough for Kick Out Zwarte Piet and during a conversation with the municipality and the two Sinterklaas committees, they announced that they would also demonstrate in 2022.
The discussion starts all over again and I have to explain again that we ‘Volendammers’ are slowly changing. We also had other Piets last year, I say cautiously.
Sinterklaas committees threatened
Meanwhile, the village is buzzing with rumours. For example, there would be a fight between the two Sinterklaas committees about the interpretation of the Sinterklaas entry. It is even claimed that the entry might be called off. Volunteers no longer want to participate because they are threatened. I’ll let the rumor mill run until this week it becomes clear that the two Sinterklaas committees agree: “The color of Piet will be adjusted to the current standard during the Sinterklaas entry in Volendam this year.”
The chairman of one of the Sinterklaas committees does not dare not react in front of the camera. He and his volunteers are threatened online by people who are against Zwarte Piet,” he tells NH Nieuws. Angry reactions are raining on Facebook about the decision of the two Sinterklaas committees. From ‘couples of cowards’ to ‘violence and intimidation are therefore rewarded. .’
The reactions of my fellow villagers are not kind. But according to Volendam expert and fellow villager Dick Bond, that is because we are quite stubborn. We are stubborn, so am I! That is simply in our genes. But we as Volendammers can’t stay behind alone? On to new traditions for everyone!
On Sunday 13 November, the Goedheiligheid will return to the port of Volendam. Something that I, as a citizen of Volendam, are really looking forward to. And oh yes: be nice with responding. I am also a Volendammer.
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