Georgina Verbaan

Georgina Carolina Verbaan (born 9 October 1979) is a Dutch actress and singer. Verbaan is best known for her recurring role in soap opera Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden. She has also appeared in various Dutch films, including Costa!, Volle maan and Oogverblindend.

Early life

Verbaan was born in The Hague, Netherlands. She joined a musical group in her hometown, Zoetermeer, in 1990, at the age of 11. In 1992, Verbaan started attending a theatre school in The Hague. She graduated from mavo (high school) in Zoetermeer.

Career

1997-2003: Soap opera, music and film

Verbaan joined the cast of soap opera Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden in 1997, at the age of 16. She played the recurring role of Hedwig Harmsen from 1997 to 2000, growing increasingly popular and famous during her tenure on the show.

Verbaan left the show in 2000, seeking to pursue an acting career. She appeared in the Dutch film Costa! in 2001. Costa! was a nationwide commercial success, attracting over 200,000 visitors. Verbaan sang the film's theme song.

Zwarte Piet

Zwarte Piet (pronounced [ˈzʋɑrtə ˈpit]; English: Black Peter or Black Pete, Luxembourgish: Schwaarze Péiter) is the companion of Saint Nicholas (Dutch: Sinterklaas, Luxembourgish: Kleeschen) in the folklore of the Low Countries. The character first appeared in his current form in an 1850 book by Jan Schenkman and is commonly depicted as a blackamoor. Traditionally Zwarte Piet is said to be black because he is a Moor from Spain. Those portraying Zwarte Piet typically put on blackface make-up and colourful Renaissance attire, in addition to curly wigs, red lipstick and earrings. In recent years, the character has become the subject of controversy, especially in the Netherlands.

Traditions

The Zwarte Piet character is part of the annual feast of St. Nicholas, celebrated on the evening of 5 December (Sinterklaasavond, that is, St. Nicholas' Eve) in the Netherlands, Curaçao and Aruba and on 6 December in Belgium and Luxembourg, when sweets and presents are distributed to children. The characters of Zwarte Pieten appear only in the weeks before Saint Nicholas's feast, first when the saint is welcomed with a parade as he arrives in the country (generally by boat, having traveled from Madrid, Spain). The tasks of the Zwarte Pieten are mostly to amuse children, and to scatter pepernoten, kruidnoten and strooigoed (special sinterklaas candies) for those who come to meet the saint as he visits stores, schools, and other places.