Why the Dutch are Different: A Journey into the Hidden Heart of the Netherlands: From Amsterdam to Zwarte Piet, the acclaimed guide to travel in Holland

by Ben Coates

The UN in turn said it was ‘deeply troubled by the virulent intolerance’ expressed by those who could not accept criticisms of Zwarte Piet. The right-wing politician Geert Wilders responded by calling for the entire UN to be abolished. Still the debate rumbled on, periodically rejuvenated by ill-advised comments from politicians, commentators and celebrities. Foreign news outlets expressed amazement at the latest example of crazy Dutch behaviour, while the Dutch media remained firmly in the pro-Piet camp. Soon after the event in Rotterdam, the leading Telegraaf newspaper reported of recent events in South Africa: ‘There have been reactions abroad and in the Netherlands to the death of Nelson Mandela, who died, of all times, on Sinterklaas evening, with Zwarte Piet.’