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| Speculoos, traditional biscuit for the feast |
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| My birthday cake |
Before living in Europe, I never knew the day I celebrate my birthday is also known as Saint Nicholas Day. Back home, the Dutch introduced Sinterklaas to us with his reputation as a bringer of gifts on Christmas.
The tradition of Saint Nicholas Day on 6 December is a festival for children in many countries in Europe related to surviving legends of the saint. The night before is the primary occasion for gift-giving. The legend says that he saved children from death. He goes from house to house during the night to bring presents to every child that showed a good behaviour in the past 12 months prior to Saint Nicholas' arrival. The gifts can be toys but also food like Speculoos and Belgian chocolate, both made with Saint Nicholas' image.
The arrival of Saint Nicholas is important. Every town and community in Belgium has their own way to celebrate it. Between 14 November until the Saint Nicholas Day, festivities organized all over the country. Story told that he arrives on a small boat all the way from Spain.
In Mons, the arrival of Saint Nicholas celebrated in the shopping street in late November. He wears a bishop's robes including a red cape and mitre, jewelled gloves and crozier. His helper, Zwarte Piet (they call him as Père Fouettard here) reminds me of my childhood memory. I was scared because the character appears to be so dark and scary.
The weekend before Saint Nicholas Day, they showed up again with fairy tale characters like Cinderella and Prince Charming, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Aladdin and Sylvester the cat. Felt like in Disneyland!
Since I've been good.. Prince Charming surprised me with a chocolate cake he secretly ordered from my favorite Jean-Sébastien De Meyer. It came with a white chocolate shaped like Saint Nicholas for bonus.
My first birthday in Mons is such a blessing, even with him only. It's been snowing since last week but today the sun smile happily.
Happy birthday to me!