City authorities in Ghent (East Flanders) have decided that an alternative Saint Nicholas celebration will now no longer go ahead at city hall on 6 December. An alternative location is being sought.
Flanders celebrates the feast of St Nicholas on his name day 6 December, when the good saint, accompanied by his servants or Peters, brings presents to all children. The event at Ghent city hall, was to feature Queen Nikkolah, a black female ‘saint’, who hails from Brussels, but triggered controversy.
Queen Nikkolah is a female black performer, who is keen to question traditional Saint Nicholas traditions and the role of blacks and girls within these traditions. Two hundred people had already registered for the event at which children could swap old St Nicholas books for new ones without any stereotypical images
Ghent Mayor Mathias De Clercq (Flemish liberal): “There was the danger this initiative would lead to the wrong debate. Ghent is an inclusive and diverse city and we want everybody to join in, not to alienate people”.
The organiser of the event has now been asked to seek a new location. Ghent alderman Hafsa El-Bazioui (Flemish green) lauds the initiative that can stimulate debate on inclusivity: "Existing St Nicholas events including the arrival of the good saint and celebrations at schools and businesses will go ahead”.