The national arrival of Sinterklaas will be in Gorinchem this year, broadcaster NTR reports. Sinterklaas will be welcomed there together with his helpers on Saturday 18 November.
Mayor Reinie Melissant is proud that her city will receive the good saint this year: “It is a wonderful event for the city and for the residents who can show themselves. We are really very happy.”
Support base
To organize the entry, the city first had to go through a selection committee. Melissant had to write a personal letter for this, to underline that as mayor she supported the entry and that there was enough support in her municipality to organize the event.
The latter is also necessary for the entry to run smoothly. Entry in previous years had to do with demonstrations for and against Zwarte Piet, which were often accompanied by disturbances. As a result, the enthusiasm among municipalities to organize the entry also decreased. In 2018, for the first time, no municipality voluntarily reported to the NTR to take on the organization.
The national entry into Hellevoetsluis last year was the first live entry with an audience after the corona pandemic. It went off without a hitch and that, among other things, motivated Mayor Melissant to approach NTR. “Last year in Hellevoetsluis we saw that everything went smoothly and that gives us enough confidence that it will also go well here,” says the mayor. “I have only received positive feedback so far.”
Magic party
The program for the Saint in Gorinchem has not yet been written, but Melissant already has a few ideas: “We are a fortified city with many beautiful stories and with many beautiful people who know how to depict this in a good way with beautiful monuments.”
In November she is especially looking forward to “the magic of the happy children’s faces”. Melissant: “Everyone is looking forward to it. We’re going to make it a great party.”
The entry will be presented on November 18 by Dieuwertje Blok, supported by reporters Jeroen Kramer and Rachel Rosier. Traditionally, the Sinterklaas news also starts a few days before the arrival.
