St. Nicholas and his helper ‘Black Peet’, a Dutch tradition on the 5th of December; 1948.

Black Peter is black from soot, whereas black face as Americans know it is an offensive characterization of African-Americans. So I wouldn’t say it’s black face per se although it certainly appears that way if you don’t know the tradition.

 

This is THE day when you’re a Dutch or Belgian child between the ages of 1 to 10 . Sinterklaas is a day solely for kids to enjoy.