During the traditional arrival of Sinterklaas, this year in Gouda, Dutch police arrested sixty protesters, both opponents and proponents of the controversial figure 'Zwarte Piet' (Black Pete), the mayor of Gouda Milo Schoenmaker announced during a press conference on Saturday.

Most arrested people were protesters who wanted to demonstrate in the center of Gouda, while the municipality had designated two locations outside the city for demonstrations. While Sinterklaas was greeted near the city hall, opponents and proponents clashed nearby.

Opponents of Black Pete, who demonstrated with a banner with the text 'Zwarte Piet is racism' were harassed and jeered by advocates of Black Pete. The mayor said he was "disappointed" about the incidents and called the atmosphere "grim."

Sinterklaas is annually celebrated in the Netherlands with the giving of gifts on Dec. 5. Sinterklaas himself, a traditional figure based on Saint Nicholas, is a white man with a long white beard, but his servants, the 'Black Petes' are traditionally portrayed by whites in blackface and wigs of curly black hair.

For decades, the celebration of Sinterklaas has been surrounded by a discussion about whether Black Pete is racist and in recent years this discussion became more fierce. Opponents think Black Pete is a racist figure and proponents think Black Pete is part of Dutch culture.

Every year in mid-November Sinterklaas arrives by boat from Spain, according to the story Dutch children believe in, in a different Dutch city and this time it was Gouda. He arrived at noon and was awaited by thousands of people when he walked through the city on his white horse. For the first time he was not only accompanied by Black Petes, but also by the 'Stroopwafel' (a traditional caramel-like syrup waffle) Petes, 'cheese' Petes, White Petes and Clown Petes.


Mayor Schoenmaker said police had instructions to intervene where the children's party was threatened to be disrupted. "That was clearly announced in advance and unfortunately it also proved necessary to intervene," the mayor said.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte called it "deeply, deeply sad" that the arrival of Sinterklaas ended in arrests. "A children's party should not be disturbed in such a way," the Prime Minister said to TV broadcaster NOS.