Valentine's Day or Valentine's Day on February 14th is a worldwide holiday honoring love between couples. They express their feelings by giving each other roses, Valentine's cards, chocolates, teddy bears... All over the world, the way lovers celebrate Valentine's Day is also very different.
Valentine's Day is just a few days away. The day when red heart balloons, roses, teddy bears and chocolates appear everywhere... to mark a memorable anniversary for couples in love.
Argentina:In addition to celebrating Valentine's Day, Argentines also dedicate a week in July to "Sweet Week," when kisses are exchanged along with sweet gifts. It started as a candy marketing campaign, but the country quickly embraced it.
Bulgaria:On February 14, Bulgarians celebrate St. Trifon Zarezan Day – also known as Winemaker’s Day. Traditionally, people would visit the vineyards for a ceremony before crowning the best winemaker. Today, people still take part in St. Trifon parades and celebrate Valentine’s Day with a bottle of wine.
China:In China, Valentine's Day is celebrated during the Qixi Festival. The Chinese festival of love falls on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. The celebration originated from the tragic story of two lovers who were forced to separate due to their social status. They were later allowed to reunite once a year. Today, the festival is a popular day for marriage in China.
Czech Republic:Although Valentine’s Day is becoming more popular, May 1 is traditionally the day Czech lovers celebrate. Many couples make a pilgrimage to the statue of poet Karel Hynek Macha in Petrin Park, kissing under the cherry blossoms to bring good luck in the future.
Denmark:While Valentine's Day cards are sent all over the world, the Danes have been keeping the tradition going since the 18th century. Secret admirers send gaekkebrev (joke letters) to their crush, usually in the form of a paper snowflake with a poem. The sender signs their name with a dot and must reward the recipient with an Easter egg if they guess their identity.
Although each country has its own culture for Valentine's Day, in general, this is an occasion to celebrate and express romantic love between lovers.
Estonia and Finland:On February 14, it is celebrated as Sobrapaev, which literally translates to friendship day. The same thing happens in Finland, where the celebration is called Ystävän Päivä.
France:France is known as one of the most romantic countries in the world. For the French, February is here and the birds are starting to find mates and build nests, signaling the start of Valentine's season.
Usually on Valentine's Day, lovers will spend all their time with their other half and do things they like such as enjoying a romantic dinner, watching movies, going for a walk. Besides chocolate and red roses, the favorite Valentine's gift in France is a heart-shaped chocolate cake.
Iraq:Iraqi Kurds celebrate this day by decorating apples with cloves to give to their partners. The apple is a reference to the story of Adam and Eve. The apple also symbolizes love and prosperity.
Japan:In Japan, men are the ones who receive chocolate. There are two types: giri choco (obligation chocolate) for friends and colleagues; honmei choco (actual feeling chocolate) for someone you have romantic feelings for. It is not until March 14 – known as White Day – that men give back to women.
Philippines:Valentine’s Day is a popular occasion for mass weddings, where hundreds or even thousands of people get married at once. These large events are often sponsored by the government as a form of public service.
Sweet chocolates are a must on Valentine's Day.
Romania:Held on February 24, Dragobete - also known as the day of the Engagement Birds - is a combination of Valentine's Day and the Spring Festival. Girls and boys go into the woods to pick flowers, while others wash their faces in the snow to wish for health and happiness.
South Africa:On February 14, young people in South Africa make a bold declaration of love by pinning the name of their loved one on their sleeve. The tradition is said to have originated from the ancient festival of Lupercalia.
Korea:Koreans celebrate love on the 14th of every month, not just in February. These days include: Rose Day in May, Kiss Day in June, Hug Day in December. Especially on Black Day on April 14, when singles gather to console themselves with Jajangmyeon – black noodles.
Spain:For the people of Valencia, the most romantic day of the year falls on October 9 – the day of St. Dionysius, the patron saint of love. Many festivals and parades are held to mark the occasion. Traditionally, men give their partners a Mocadora – a small marzipan figurine – as a symbol of their love.
Thailand:Women looking for love visit the Trimurti temple, where they kneel before the Hindu god of love in the hopes of finding someone special.
United Kingdom:The Welsh celebrate love on 25 January – St Dwynwen’s Day. Ornately carved spoons, called lovespoons, are often exchanged between lovers in a tradition that dates back to the 16th century.
England was one of the first countries to introduce Valentine's Day. The traditional gift in England for this Valentine's Day is not chocolate or roses but spoons.
