DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
Dutch news & articles
Research reveals majority of Dutch municipalities have ditched Zwarte Piet
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Research reveals majority of Dutch municipalities have ditched Zwarte Piet

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Christmas in Amsterdam?: Dutch capital one of Europe’s most festive citiesChristmas in Amsterdam?: Dutch capital one of Europe’s most festive cities
ANWB warns of heavy rush hour traffic in the lead-up to ChristmasANWB warns of heavy rush hour traffic in the lead-up to Christmas
Schiphol boss promises that airport will run smoothly over ChristmasSchiphol boss promises that airport will run smoothly over Christmas
Skate under the stars: Rotterdam to open rooftop ice rinkSkate under the stars: Rotterdam to open rooftop ice rink
The Dutch Christmas? An expat guide to Sinterklaas in the NetherlandsThe Dutch Christmas? An expat guide to Sinterklaas in the Netherlands
These are the Christmas delivery deadlines in the Netherlands in 2022These are the Christmas delivery deadlines in the Netherlands in 2022
December 2022: 9 things expats in the Netherlands need to knowDecember 2022: 9 things expats in the Netherlands need to know
O Christmas tree: Price of artificial trees rising in the NetherlandsO Christmas tree: Price of artificial trees rising in the Netherlands
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairsWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Nov 13, 2021
Victoria Séveno
Victoria grew up in Amsterdam, before moving to the UK to study English and Related Literature at the University of York and completing her NCTJ course at the Press Association in London. She has a love for all things movies, animals, and food. Read more

It took a while to get to this point, but after years of debate and much criticism, the highly controversial Zwarte Piet character appears to have been almost fully replaced by the so-called Roetveegpiet - or Sooty Piet - at Sinterklaas celebrations across the Netherlands. 

Zwarte Piet character gradually disappearing from the Netherlands

Over the past few years, the Roetveegpiet has gradually become a more popular and commonplace character in Dutch Sinterklaas celebrations, and it seems like the cancellation of various festive events last year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic served as the final nail in the coffin for Zwarte Piet.  

While there were still plenty of Zwarte Pieten to be seen in 2019, with over the top wigs, golden hoop earrings, and blackface, new research has found that this year, most officially organised Sinterklaas events will only feature Roetveegpieten. 

Most Sinterklaas events will feature the Sooty Piet instead

In a survey of over 210 municipalities in the Netherlands conducted by the AD, it was found that 123 have opted to only feature the Roetveegpiet, while 32 said they’d been using a mix of the two different kinds of Pieten. Only 10 will be using Zwarte Pieten. 

Back in 2017, 239 municipalities said they’d be sticking with Zwarte Pieten for official events. Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and The Hague were among the municipalities who said they’d completely ditched the Zwarte Piet for events this year.

Municipalities that have committed to the switch say the time for debate is over and that this change was inevitable. “The discussion is now over. It's done, we just want to party again," said one committee member from Friesland.

By Victoria Séveno