Artist Info: Coole Piet

Coole Piet is one of the 'pieten', they belong with Sinterklaas. Sinterklaas is said to be the origin of the now well known Santa Clause. Pieten are black, and were originally slaves but this was found to be overly racist in a modern context, so now the story goes that they are black from the chimney soot, which they climb down in order to leave presents in the children's shoes. Sinterklaas is a Dutch celebration, but it's also celebrated in Belgium. [read more...]