1.
GV PAN... BIG CROWD IN RAIN.
0.06

2.
SV "SAILORS" IN MEDIEVAL UNIFORMS IN BOAT PAST CROWD.
0.13

3.
SV ZOOM BACK... ANOTHER BOAT WITH "SPANISH SAILORS".
0.18

4.
CU CHILDREN.
0.19

5.
ST NICHOLAS MOVES ALONG, GREETED BY OFFICIAL.
0.27

6.
MV & CV... CHILDREN.
0.30

7.
SV MAN IN MEDIEVAL COSTUME BALANCES ON ANOTHER'S HEAD.
0.33

8.
MV ST NICHOLAS MOUNTS HORSE.
0.39

9.
CU CHILDREN
0.41

10.
SV PAN... ST. NICHOLAS RIDES HORSE.
0.46

11.
CU GIANT CARNIVAL CHARACTER.
0.54

12.
LV ST NICHOLAS ACKNOWLEDGING OVATION.
0.59

13.
CU PARENTS WITH CHILDREN.
1.02

14.
CU TROMBONE.
1.04

15.
GV REAR V... ST. NICHOLAS PARADING.
1.10



Initials RE/S/JF/LW



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: FOR THE YOUNGSTERS OF HOLLAND, THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16 (SATURDAY) WHEN THE PATRON SAINT AND BENEFACTOR OF CHILDREN, ST.NICHOLAS, ARRIVES IN AMSTERDAM.

DUTCH CHILDREN BELIEVE THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANCIENT TRADITION SANTA CLAUSE SAILS FROM SPAIN TO CELEBRATE HIS BIRTHDAY IN HOLLAND AND DISTRIBUTES PRESENTS DURING HIS VISIT.

ST.NICHOLAS, WHO RIDES A HORSE, LIVES ACCORDING TO LEGEND IN SPAIN DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.HE RETURNS TO HIS "HOMELAND" AFTER HIS DUTCH VISIT.