The long-running guessing game is over: Gijs Naber is the new Sinterklaas. The actor was unveiled on Saturday in Grave, North Brabant, where he appeared on the horse Ozosnel. He takes over the red mitre and staff from Stefan de Walle, who stepped down in September after fifteen years. In recent weeks, names such as Daan Schuurmans, Ramsey Nasr and Kasper van Kooten circulated widely, though Schuurmans quickly ruled himself out. The mystery kept the Netherlands speculating until the official announcement.
For newcomers, Sinterklaas is one of the most visible Dutch traditions. The character appears on television, in schools and in shops from mid-November. The arrival show, known as the intocht, is broadcast nationally and draws large crowds. The role is played by a different actor every few years, and the change is usually kept secret until the last moment. This year, the reveal happened in Grave, a small town that hosted the national arrival.
If you are learning Dutch, following the Sinterklaas news can be a fun way to pick up vocabulary around holidays, weather and family. Words like mijter (mitre), staf (staff) and intocht (arrival) come up often in November. For families new to the Netherlands, the televised arrival and school celebrations are a gentle introduction to a tradition that many Dutch children grow up with. The switch of actor does not change the character, so the familiar songs and customs remain the same.