Amsterdam/New York: Santa Claus is the Child of Global Cities (part 1)

Two prosperous port cities, historically linked by genealogy, would create the modern Santa Claus, a generous donor who comes from the sky from more or less mythical distant lands.

“Sinterklaas,” a Dutch contraction of Saint Nicholas, is a product of the wealthy port cities of the Netherlands that set out to conquer the world in the 17th century, trading with all of Europe. The legend of Sinterklaas portrays him coming each year from Spain (which must have retained some mythical luster from its rich past in the previous century) with Black Piet by boat, then delivering gifts on a flying horse.

Text : Translated from french Gilles Fumey

Image : Iffany