Traditions / Legends

Like every other country, Belgium has a lot of traditions and legends but most of them vary from city to city. There are some however who are typical for all of Belgium. 

Sinterklaas or St-Nicolas

In Belgium, December 6th is dedicated to the so-called Sint-Nicolas [Dutch: Sinterklaas or French: St-Nicholas], a saint and bishop who lived during the third century A.C. The legend is that Sint-Nicolas lives in Spain and comes to Belgium and Holland ones a year by ship to reward all children with gifts and candy. On the evening of December 5, Sinterklaas brings presents to every child that has been good in the past year. Therefor he drives the rooftops on a white horse and his black helpers throw the gifts down the chimneys (which is why they are black). This event is even braodcasted on TV and adult people will claim to their children that this guy actually brings the presents! Adults like to give each other big size chocolate letters and speculoos as typical Sinterklaas candy.

More about St. Nicholas on: http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=23

Ice cream cars

In Belgium, you don't have to go to a store to buy an ice cream. There are cars driving around in the streets, most of the time they play music (a children's tune) or ring a bell. When you hear the sound (normally every day around the same time, because they do a tour) you go outside and buy an icecream. Yummie!

Friet kot

What Belgians call a 'frietkot' is a place in the streets where you can buy fries. For Belgians, that's the only place where you can eat really good Belgian fries. So don't think you can taste this at McDonalds!