Acting in a national play: Governmental roles during the Zwarte Piet contestation

Recently, the contestation surrounding ‘Black Pete’, the Dutch ‘Santa Claus’ black faced companion, has risen to new heights. The clash between opponents of the figure—deeming him a remnant from a sinister colonial past—and his supporters—to whom he is a vital part of their identity—has been so fierce that government found itself compelled to intervene. Political science and governance studies distinguish several strategies governments can use to mitigate cultural contestation. How has Dutch government gone about the Zwarte Piet controversy, and why