A Dutch club in Stockholm that was planning a festive party featuring Santa alongside a servant with a black painted face has shelved the idea following numerous complaints of racism.
Sweden’s Afro-Swedish National Association wrote to the Dutch embassy in Stockholm earlier this month to protest against a party planned on its premises on November 30th, at which the character was set to appear.
Black Pete – or Zwarte Piet as he is known in Dutch – was due to arrive at the embassy following a public boat ride from Djurgården to Slussen in Stockholm.
The character is usually played by someone wearing black face paint and a wig and regularly appears alongside Saint Nicholas at seasonal Sinterklass celebrations in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Read more: The Local Sweden
