Koedijk, The Netherlands

Sinterklaas comes everywhere on 5 December, except in Koedijk. It wasn't until New Year's Eve that the people of Koedijk celebrated their own Pakjesavond; the Golden Angel Festival. That's how it was invariably in the earlier years. The Golden Angel is a phenomenon in Koedijk. An explanation would lie in the fact that there were many fishermen in Koedijk. They were away from home for weeks to fish at sea and only returned home at the end of the year, with their wages in their pockets. Then Golden Angel was celebrated with presents on New Year's Eve. That's how it is explained in a nutshell.

Another explanation is given by a certain Mr. D. van der Wielen. He sees a connection with the 'Golden English', a gold coin that was minted in the period from 1344 to the end of the 16th century. Due to its great purity, this coin was highly sought after and popular. It is quite possible, according to Mr. van der Wielen, that this is the origin of the name. 'The Russian tsar used this coin as a gift coin, among other things. Could that have happened to the Dutch counts as well, compared to the inhabitants of Koedijk? The coin could have been affectionately called the Golden Angel and thus explain the name of the feast." Verdam's Middle Dutch Dictionary confirms him in this: angel is the name of a gold coin!

Dromos