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Tuesday 11 November

Dutch culture - St. Martin

Around the year 1600 there lived a bishop in Tours (in France), known as St. Martin and renowned for his kindness as far away as in The Netherlands. Nobody ever knocked on his door for help in vain.

One winter’s day, when there was a sharp frost, he went out on his horse. The animal stumbled over a man lying in the road, nearly frozen stiff and half-starved. St. Martin jumped from his horse and cut his coat in half with his sword. One half he gave to the man, the other half he used to cover himself. He also shared his bread with the man.

Until this very day St. Martin is commemorated in many regions of The Netherlands and also Germany on 11^th November. On that day the children walk through the dark streets carrying lantern. At each house they sing a song. Then, they receive an apple, a pear or sweets. They hope the adults will be just as kind to them as St. Martin was.

During the Dutch culture lessons, the students have been told about St. Martin, they’ve learned some songs and they made their own lanterns. Last Tuesday, we celebrated St. Martin in Taman Bayshore and it was very ‘gezellig!’

We’re looking forward to the next celebration.

Sinterklaas!!! J

Friday 6 June

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