Sint-Niklaas : Saint Nicholas is a traditional holiday celebrated on December 6 in northern Europe and where Saint Nicholas plays the role of the father Holidays.
According to legend, a butcher cut three children into pieces and put them in the salting tub; Nicolas, passing through the country, had a presentiment and insisted on the criminal to taste his "salty"; Faced with his refusal, Nicolas understood and resuscitated the little victims.
On the night of December 5 to 6, it is customary for children to hang stockings filled with hay, oats and bread in the fireplace to feed the donkey of the holy bishop.
We celebrate St. Nicholas with anise cookies or gingerbread in the effigy of the saint, who was archbishop of Myra, in Lycia (historical region located south of Lydia in Asia Minor). in the XNUMXth century. The saint is also modeled in chocolate or blown red sugar.
In Alsace, bakers used to celebrate it with a special bread, the mannela (literally "little man").