Sooty Piet

RTL says "no" to blackface for 2016 Zwarte Piet costume

Oct 24 '16 12:19
EntertainmentPolitics

Broadcaster RTL will not be using blacface makeup on Zwarte Piet this year. The media company decided to from now on only use Pieten with soot marks on their face, RTL said in a statement. 

"For one part the image of Zwarte Piet is discriminatory, while others find that Zwarte Piet is an integral part of the tradition", the broadcaster said in a statemetn. "RTL understands both points of view, but also believes that this discussion should not be about what's right, but understanding for each other."

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The Hague to follow kids’ TV show on Zwarte Piet blackface issue

Oct 12 '16 09:45
Politics

The Hague should follow the lead of kids' show Sinterklaasjournaal when it comes to what Zwarte Piet will look like at Sinterklaas' arrival in the city, Mayor Jozias van Aartsen will advise the organizers of the arrival

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Ash to replace blackface Zwarte Piet at Sinterklaas arrival

Oct 14 '15 11:27

Sinterklaas will be accompanied by more so-called Chimney Pieten and fewer traditional Zwarte Pieten at his national arrival in Meppel this year. More of Sinterklaas' helpers will be marked with ash and soot marks on their faces, instead of the traditional black-face makeup. The cities of Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague and Maastricht will be following the same trend in the coming years.

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Jumbo supermarket adds white-face Piet to packaging, keeps Zwarte Piet

Sep 17 '15 09:20

Supermarket chain Jumbo will be using both the traditional Zwarte Piet and light skinned Pieten on their packaging and advertisements this year due to the public debate over the character.

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