Bald Zwarte Piet
A bald Zwarte Piet hanging out of an auto rickshaw during Saint Nicholas festivities.
Picture taken 5 December 2014 | Vroonhoevelaan, Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.
Context: Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) is a traditional companion of Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) in Dutch festivities. Traditionally portrayed with blackface makeup, the character has been at the centre of a longstanding public debate about racism, cultural traditions and changing social attitudes in the Netherlands. In recent years, many celebrations have moved towards alternative portrayals, particularly Sooty Piet, with soot marks instead of blackface.
This photograph documents a scene from everyday public life in the Netherlands in 2014, during a period of growing controversy surrounding the tradition.