The Lover’s Day, popularly known as Valentine’s Day is almost around the corner, stores are filled with candy hearts, toys, and chocolates. In the United States, shelves brimming with boxes of chocolate and teddy bears are typical fare for Valentine’s Day, but not all the countries use heart-shaped candies and greeting cards to declare love. Some part of the world exchange pressed flowers and wooden spoons, while others use the special day to have a holiday for the loveless and the less privilege in their midst. In this post, we will be traveling to different parts of the world to know how they celebrate Valentine.
United States
In the US and Canada, Valentine’s Day is a highly popular holiday. This holiday is specially held to honor St. Valentine and to express love to ones sweetheart. The scope of Valentine’s Day has widened that it is now an occasion to express love and gratitude not only to spouses and sweethearts, but also to parents, teachers, and other acquaintances or close relations. The modern celebration of Valentine’s Day sees people complementing their loved ones with gifts and popular items such as fresh flowers, usually roses, cards, candies and chocolates. Dance parties and dinner are specially organized in all parts of the country to celebrate the day.
France
Paris, known as the “The city of love” is seen as the world capital of Valentine's Day. Lovers from all around the globe visit here to have their special celebration. On the day of Valentine, lovers in France exchange cards and letters, a worldwide tradition that originates from France. History has it that Charles the Duke of Orleans wrote the first Valentine love card because his poem was signed as “Your Valentine”.
Britain
In Britain, Valentine's Day is celebrated with great gaiety and fun-fare. Like in most other countries, the day’s celebrations have people showing an expression of love to their loved ones with gifts such as cards, chocolate flowers, and other special items. The tradition of Valentine's Day celebration differs in various regions of the country, but one custom that is the same in the region is the presentation of special love songs by children. All over Great Britain, kids sing special songs related to the celebration and are rewarded with gifts such as money fruit or candy.
China
During the 21st century period, most Chinese have their western Valentine's Day celebration filled with special dates and romantic gift exchanges, But do you know that the people of China have celebrated their "Day of Love" for many years? The day’s celebration is similar to the modern-day Valentine. This celebration is called “Qixi Festival” and it means “The Night of Seven,” and is usually celebrated in early August. This tradition tells an old ancestral story that passes from one generation to another for centuries.
Japan
In Japan, a Valentine’s Day celebration is as sweet as honey. The girls offer the traditional “Giri Choco”, (this is a chocolate that has no romantic association, but is obligatory to be given on that day). They give it to their male friends, employers or colleagues. If they want to express their love and affection, they will offer the chocolate with a “Honmei Choco” and a handmade gift. But their males are not easily carried away. So on March 14th, the boys will return the gift with chocolates and some other gifts. This day is known as the “White Day”.
Brazil
If you want to have a big huge party this Valentine’s Day, then Brazil is the place to be. Their carnival usually runs during the period of February or March every year, coinciding with the day of Valentine. The local day celebration that is equivalent to Valentine’s Day is called the “Dia dos enamorados (Lovers day)”. It is held on June 12th. Brazilians love to exchange flowers, cards, chocolates, etc. In addition to that, musical presentations and performances are held all over the towns and cities, bringing families and couples together.
So no matter where you celebrate, always celebrate love. Happy Valentine’s Day.
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