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The 'New St. Nicholas' parade in Amsterdam

Actor Patrick Mathurin arrived like each year dressed as "De Nieuwe Sint", on November 25th, Amsterdam, Netherlands. described by Mathurin as a saint for everyone and who can represent all of us. Patrick Mathurin (1972), was born in Haiti, is an actor and boxing trainer. After drama school in Arnhem, he studied at the famous Actor's Studio in New York, where he did workshops with Al Pacino and Harvey Keitel. Sinterklaas, a character who shares his roots with Santa Claus, is the central figure of the Dutch winter celebrations. Most of the entertainment, however, is provided by Sinterklaas’s "helpers", the clown-like Black Petes, or Zwarte Pieten. Considered by many to be the best part of the whole tradition, Black Pete has a large fan base in the Netherlands. However, the image of white people with blackened faces has sparked worldwide controversy. Mathurin said he does not wish to interfere in the Pete discussion. "I want a solution and not get stuck with the problem," he said. During the whole parade "De Nieuwe Sint." was offering flowers as a symbol of peace and love to the people in the streets and in the shops. The Parade ended at the Museumplein where he reunited with the Dutch singer Guus Meeuwis. (Photo by Romy Arroyo Fernandez/NurPhoto)

Photo Details

Photo ID	#2344218
Date Taken	25 November 2017
Location	N/A
Photographer	Romy Arroyo Fernandez/NurPhoto
Category	Human Interest
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Romy Arroyo Fernandez/NurPhoto

Related Keywords

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