Valentine’s Day. Named for a martyr and dedicated to lovers, this holiday has evolved throughout history to become one of the most romantic days of the year. Originally celebrated in the western world, other cultures and countries have embraced the traditions over the years, and added some of their own.
Japan
In Japan Valentine’s day is the first of two holidays dedicated to romance and love in all its forms. In February young women select gifts to give to their sweethearts, and in March it is the fellow’s turn, as they are expected to give their special someone a gift similar to that which they received the month before. This bit of marketing brilliance ensures that the ladies can actually pick what sort of gift they get when March rolls around. March 14th is called White Day, and supposedly was invented by a very savvy candy company looking to expand their sales. In keeping with the holiday’s name, chocolate or candy given on White Day is often white in colour.
The most popular gift to give on Valentine’s Day is chocolate, and there are two very different types. Giri-choco is bought for friends, co-workers or other men a lady likes but is not involved with romantically. Usually this is store bought chocolate. Hon-mei is chocolate given to someone very special, and is usually prepared by the girls themselves. A staggering half of all chocolate sold in Japan is sold between Feb 14th and March 14th.
Denmark
The Danes keep to the traditional elements of Valentine’s Day, especially with the “Lover’s card”. Old fashioned versions of this card were made up as a transparency that would show a lover handing his lady love a gift when held up to the light. These days, any valentine’s card is called a lover’s card. Men sometimes send a gaekkebrev, a “Joking letter” that is usually a short rhyme or poem. He doesn’t sign his name however, and only puts in a dot for each letter of his name. The recipient is to guess the name of the sender, and if she does she is to be rewarded with an Easter egg later on that year. I can only imagine that if she guesses wrong, romance goes out the window right quick! Another Danish custom is to send pressed snowdrops, a delicate white flower, to their friends on Valentines.
Scotland
Although in many ways Scotland’s celebration of Valentine’s Day is typical, there are some differences. Small Valentine’s parties are often held, and the festivities include a number of games. The most common is to have an equal number of both sexes write their names down on a piece of paper which is then folded and placed in a hat or other container, one for men, one for women. The women draw a name from the men’s hat and that man has to stick with his valentine for the rest of the party, often giving her a small gift as well. This tradition traces its roots back to Lupercalia, the same Roman festival that lends itself to customs in South Africa.
Cuba
For the people of Cuba, Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate with gift giving and tokens of love both romantic and platonic. Often the celebrations include a carefully prepared meal and the decorating of the house inside and out with ornaments and small trappings. Street lights and restaurants are carefully lit and decorated to enhance the celebrations, adding a level of festivity to the holiday.
The tradition of giving flowers continues here, and roses or other flowers in their beloved’s favourite colours are a customary gift.
Sweden
The Swedish traditions include the giving of jelly hearts and pastries as well as the more traditional gifts of flowers and cards. The capital city of Stockholm takes pride in decorating their waterways and parks with lights for this occasion, adding to the romantic atmosphere.
France
The French culture is no stranger to the art of amore, and it is said that the first Valentine’s Day card was written by a French Duke captured at the Battle of Agincourt. He penned a love poem to his wife while spending time in the Tower of London.
Long ago in the Middle Ages, the people of France believed that the birds married halfway through the second month of the year, and this lead to the belief that this time was especially romantic and began a tradition of love letters and small gifts around Valentine’s Day. The traditions of gift giving, sending love letters and cards with tender endearments (sometimes called cartes d’amities) continues to this day, giving credence to some people’s opinions that all this mush and romantic nonsense is truly “for the birds.”
South Africa
Another culture that has adopted the festivities of Saint Valentine’s day is South Africa. Among the more traditional exchanges of gifts and going out on dates with someone special, some still engage in elements of a traditional Roman festival where young girls (and some young men) pin the name of their love interests on their sleeves for everyone to see.
Italy
Despite being considered one of the most romantic of places, Italy has recently taken up the celebration of Valentine’s Day. Italian custom dictates that this day is only for lovers, and friends and family do not exchange gifts or celebrate the day. Among the customary gifts of candy, flowers and jewellery, another popular choice is to gift one’s lover with Baci Perugina. These are chocolate covered hazelnuts that contain a tiny slip of paper with a romantic quote printed on them in up to four languages.
Romania
In Romania Saint Valentine’s has only recently begun being celebrated, as this country has its own romantic holiday on February 24th known as Dragobete. Dragobete is known as the “day when the birds become betrothed.” Singles of both sexes come together to gather flowers, sing together and pick snowdrops if the weather is fair.
Valentine’s Day with its trappings of cards and candy is enjoyed by the younger generations, but the traditional groups and even national organizations in Romania are against Valentine’s Day, claiming it is a western tradition that has been heavily commercialized.
