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Italy
The tradition of Valentine's Day in Italy was originally celebrated as a spring festival. Another special Italian custom on this day is that unmarried couples would wake up before dawn to greet their future spouses. Today, Valentine's Day in Italy has become a holiday dedicated to couples in love. Italians exchange gifts, roses, and chocolates to express their affection. Romantic candlelit dinners are also an integral part of this holiday.
Italians exchange gifts, roses, and chocolates to express their affection.
France
It is believed that the first Valentine's Day card originated in France, when Charles, Duke of Orleans, sent love letters to his wife from prison. Today, Valentine Village in France has become an ideal destination for couples in love on Valentine's Day.
From February 12th to 14th, Valentine Village is immersed in a romantic atmosphere. Courtyards and trees are decorated with love cards and vibrant roses. The Valentine's Day decorations in Valentine Village are considered one of the most unique and beautiful traditions in the world.
Valentine Village is steeped in a romantic atmosphere.
Korea
In South Korea, couples celebrate Valentine's Day on the 14th of every month, a custom that seems quite unique to many places around the world. In fact, this is how Koreans celebrate love every day.
They also celebrate "Day of Roses" in May, "Day of Kisses" in June, and "Day of Hugs" in December. Notably, singles celebrate "Black Valentine's Day" in April by enjoying black noodles. This is truly a Valentine's Day tradition that is completely different from what we usually know around the world.
Single people celebrate "Black Valentine's Day" in April by enjoying black noodles.
Spain
Valentine's Day in Valencia, Spain, takes place on October 9th and is known as the Feast of Saint Dionysus. This festival is celebrated in most parts of Spain through the creation of small figurines made from marzipan, called "macadora." These figurines are often made by men as gifts for their female companions. Additionally, the festival includes colorful parades through the streets of Spanish villages.
A prominent tradition on the Feast of Saint Dionysus is the gifting of a package of Macadora to ladies as a symbol of love and appreciation.
Japan
In Japan, on February 14th (also known as Valentine's Day), women typically give gifts to the men they care about, usually flowers, presents, or chocolate. Besides giving gifts to their lovers, they also give chocolate to male colleagues and close male friends. This type of chocolate is called "giri choko" (roughly translated as "polite chocolate"), to express affection.
Giri Choko is a simple, square-shaped choko that symbolizes close friendship.
Japanese women are often very shy, so February 14th is an opportunity for them to express their love. They believe that making chocolate themselves instead of buying it from a store is the most sincere and genuine way to show their affection.
Wales, United Kingdom
In Wales, Valentine's Day is celebrated in a very unusual and unique way. Instead of on February 14th like most other countries, the day of love here takes place on January 25th, known as "San Dwynwen Day".
On this day, couples exchange uniquely crafted, beautiful wooden spoons as a symbol of love. This custom has existed for over 400 years, beginning in the 16th century.
In Wales, couples exchange beautifully handcrafted wooden spoons on Valentine's Day.
Romania
This country celebrates Valentine's Day on February 24th, a time when young couples get engaged. It's a combination of Valentine's Day and the celebration of spring. On this day, young men and women often go into the forest to pick colorful flowers, while other couples participate in a snow-washing ritual, considered a sign of good luck and freshness.
Romania celebrates Valentine's Day on February 24th, a time when young couples get engaged.
