Belgium is one of the few countries who celebrate more than one Christmas tradition within its borders.
In
Dutch-speaking Flanders, great musical and colourful parades greet St. Nicholas
as he and his assistants arrive in November by boat, train, or on horseback to
get ready for his feast day on the 6th of December.
On
December 5th, St. Nicholas' Eve, children put their shoes or small baskets at
the fireside or by the door with carrots and sugar lumps for the saint's horse.
They
believe St. Nicholas and Zwarte Piet ride on horseback over the rooftops,
dropping gifts down the chimneys.
In
French-speaking Wallonia St Nicolas comes, as well, where he is often riding a
donkey accompanied by Père Fouettard, as in France.
In
the towns and villages close to the German border the more Germanic tradition
is followed in which he travels with a white horse or donkey and is accompanied
by Ruprecht.
But all three have in common that by the morning shoes have been filled with chocolates, cookies, fruit and toys.
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