Santa snow-Cat

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As only very few of you will be aware of today - 5 December - is an  important day in The Netherlands. It's when Sinterklaas is visiting all young children and giving them presents. Sinterklaas is the father of the some 100 years ago developed Santa Claus in anglosaxon countries. 
Usually the gifts are distributed by his assistants through the chimney of their parents homes. Over recent years a political discussion has started regarding the coloured assistants which is against current opinions about racism. As you may know The Netherlands had a big role in salve trading in the distant past, a dark chapter in our national history. 

So in modern appearances of Sinterklaas and his assistants, they have various colours yellow, red, white and finally the acceptable 'black' version which has dark chimney stains & stripes on their faces which is logical in view of our distribution duties. 

Still changes go slow and there are still many places where Black Piet is still being welcomed. We're not proud of this, people find it hard to say farewell to old traditions. So for the occasion please accept our apologies foir still showing a darker Piet at the steering wheel.
Photos: Lo Bour, Jaguar Daimler Club Holland

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