Have you heard of Sinterklass? I have not, so let's learn about its origins and how it relates to one West Michigan community.

Is Sinterklass Another Name for Santa Claus?

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I stumbled across the word "Sinterklass" and wondered what or who it was. My first thought it was Santa Claus.

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I looked up the various names for Santa Claus and below is what I found:

  • Aghios Vassilis - Santa in Greece
  • Babbo Natale - Italian Santa Claus
  • Befana - or La Befana was the Italian Santa before Babbo Natale
  • Christkindl - Santa is Chirsitan worshiping Europe and Latin America
  • Ded Moroz - Russian Santa
  • Der Weihnachtsmann - Santa in parts of Germany
  • Dun Che Lao Ren - Santa in China
  • Father Christmas - British Santa
  • Hoteiosho - Santa in Japan
  • Joulupukki - Santa in Finland
  • Julenisse - Santa in Norway
  • Kanakaloka - Santa in Hawaii
  • Kriss Kringle - Santa in parts of Germany
  • Mikulas - Santa in Hungary
  • Noel Baba - Santa in Turkey
  • Old Man Christmas - is associated with Catholicism in the UK
  • Papai Noel - Santa in Brazil
  • Pere Noel - Santa in France
  • Santa, Santa Claus, Saint Nick  - American versions of Santa Claus
  • Saint Nicholas - Santa in the Mediterranean

But what about Sinterklaas?

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Who is Sinterklaas?

Dean Mouhtaropolus/Getty Images
Dean Mouhtaropolus/Getty Images
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I was right about Sinterklass being a version of Santa Claus. Sinterklaas is the Dutch version of Santa Claus. The Netherlands is the country of origin for Sinterklaas

Dean Mouhtaropolus/Getty Images
Dean Mouhtaropolus/Getty Images
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According to Wikipedia, Sinterklaas wears a long red cape, and red hat similar to those of a Catholic bishop, with a ruby ring, carries a shepherd's staff, and rides a white horse. In the picture above a white horse wasn't available so they wrapped this one in a white robe.

Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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In the photo above you see what Sinterklaas was portrayed by the Dutch in the 1600s.

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According to FOX 17, Sinterklaas will visit Holland, Michigan, on Friday, December 6 from 5-7:50 p.m. and Saturday, December 7 from 10-1 p.m. Kids will enjoy a whole Sinterklaas celebration with the admission of $5 per person. Get all your Sinterklaas details here.

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