Saint Pancake

Created by Jan Kruis in 1986

Unraveling the Mystery of the Saint Pancake Celebration

Greetings, fellow pancake enthusiasts!
Today, we embark on a flipping delightful journey to uncover the origins of a whimsical holiday that involves pancakes, comics, and Dutch creativity.
It’s called Saint Pancake, and it’s got all the ingredients for a deliciously quirky celebration.
So, grab your pancake hats and get ready for a tale that will leave you hungry for more!

Origins in Dutch Comics: Jan, Jans en de Kinderen

So, here’s a story that’s as heartwarming as a stack of fluffy pancakes on a chilly November day.
Imagine sitting at the dinner table with pancakes on your head, eagerly awaiting the arrival of your father.
Sounds bizarre? Well, that’s how the Dutch comic “Jan, Jans en de kinderen” by Jan Kruis inspired a real-life tradition that has captured the hearts and taste buds of many.
In 1986, a comic strip was published where the grandfather regaled the family with a (made up) tale from his youth about a peculiar tradition that’s as sweet as syrup called Sint Pannekoek, which translates to Saint Pancake in English.
According to the story, families would gather on November 29, with the mother and children donning pancakes on their heads, eagerly awaiting the father’s return from work to chant, “We wish you a happy and blessed Saint Pancake!”
Inspired by this quirky tale, the family in the comic decides to celebrate Saint Pancake themselves.

You might notice this story has very old-timey gender roles.
First point about this is that an old grandpa is telling this story, coming from a time when women hardly had jobs.
Second, it’s 1986 when sexism is still more rampant than it is today.
Third, the gender roles will be further addressed later on.

From Comic to Reality: Saint Pancake is Born!

But here’s the twist – the comic story inspired families in the Netherlands to actually start celebrating Saint Pancake for real! They shared the concept with their friends and families, and soon, Saint Pancake became a real-life celebration.
Imagine the breadwinner’s confusion when he comes home to a house full of pancake-topped heads.
Talk about a flip-flop moment!
The craze spread like melted butter on a hot griddle, and Jan Kruis even added “The Legend of Saint Pancake” to the story.

The Legend of Saint Pancake

According to “The Legend of Saint Pancake,” there was a monastery where monks were celebrating the birthday of the youngest monk named Gerrit with a pancake feast. However, there were hardly enough pancakes to go around, and the eldest monk was feeling the chill from the drafty monastery.
Moved by compassion, young Gerrit placed his warm pancake on the head of the eldest monk, warming him up.
But now, Gerrit was left without a pancake. Lo and behold, an angel appeared with a golden skillet and flipped a delectable golden brown pancake onto Gerrit’s head as a reward for his selflessness!
And just like that, Gerrit becomes known as Saint Pancake, and he starts inviting the whole neighborhood to his pancake birthday parties with the monks.
It’s like a pancake block party! Can you imagine the smell of freshly flipped pancakes wafting through the streets?
It’s a celebration that’s as heartwarming as a stack of fluffy pancakes on a chilly November day.

Spreading Joy with Saint Pancake

But wait, there’s more! In later issues of the comic, when the mother Jans stops being a full-time homemaker and gets a job, the family surprises her with a Saint Pancake celebration!
It’s a sweet gesture that shows pancakes can bring families together, anytime anywhere.
And if you want to get in on the Saint Pancake action, you can head to the official site for Sint Pannekoek, where you’ll find the full stories, tips on how to organize your own pancake extravaganza, and even holiday cards drawn by the original artist Jan Kruis. 

In Conclusion

So, mark your calendars for November 29, let’s put on our pancake hats, flip some delicious flapjacks, and celebrate Saint Pancake in all its quirky, heartwarming glory.
It’s a perfect example of how creativity, imagination, and the joy of sharing can turn a fictional concept into a real-life celebration. Happy flipping and may your day be filled with warmth, laughter, and plenty of stacks of scrumptious pancakes.
We wish you a happy and blessed Saint Pancake!

🥞