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42 Community
Marina at Keppel Bay goes Dutch!
A popular Dutch tradition
found its way over thousands
of nautical miles to sail into
the safe and pristine waters
at Marina at Keppel Bay on
15 November 2008.
Sinterklaas holiday, or Saint
Nicholas Day, considered by
the Dutch to be their most
important tradition, was
organised by the Hollandse
Club for the Dutch expatriate
community in Singapore.
Usually celebrated at the
beginning of December, the
event saw Sinterklaas and his
Black Peters arrive by water,
according to tradition. They
were warmly welcomed
ashore by the singing voices
of hundreds of excited
children.
Sinterklaas and his helpers
were then seen distributing
presents to all the good boys
and girls under the Marina’s
beautifully decorated
Christmas tree in the lobby.
Hollandse Club GM,
Mr Gérard Hanssen said,
“Through the Sinterklaas
tradition, we hope to share
our colourful cultural
heritage with Singaporeans,
and especially so at Marina
at Keppel Bay, one of the
most accessible and only
urban marina in this
cosmopolitan city.”
Keppelite I November 2008
Everything sails into one great location at Keppel Bay – even Sinterklaas and his Black Peters, arriving at the Marina for the most celebrated
event of the year for the local Dutch expatriate community
Mr Tan Tai Chiew, GM of
Marina at Keppel Bay,
shared, “We are happy to
provide this platform for the
local Dutch community to
share their traditions with
fellow Singaporeans. The
event has added colour and
vibrancy to Marina at Keppel
Bay, a premier nautical and
lifestyle destination.”
His Excellency Mr Chris
Sanders, Dutch Ambassador
to Singapore, graced the
occasion as Guest-of-
Honour. keppelite
Sinterklaas and his Black Peters are part of an important Dutch tradition held close to the
hearts of Dutch families and children in Singapore