Watch: Dutch volunteers portray 'Black Pete' character using blackface

'Black Pete' - Copyright AFP

By Euronews

Published on 13/11/2022 - 12:06•Updated 12:06

A Dutch Christmas float arrives in the city of The Hague, as part of pre-Christmas festivities. Sinterklaas, based on saint Nicholas, is controversially accompanied by the character Black Pete, who is played by volunteers in blackface.

A Dutch Christmas float arrives in the city of The Hague, as part of pre-Christmas festivities. Sinterklaas, based on Saint Nicholas, is accompanied by the character Black Pete, who is controversially played by volunteers in blackface.

In 2020 after anti-racist protests in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd in the US, the local municipality distanced itself from the practice of wearing blackface for the festival.