Saint Valentine: 'the Day of Love'! Every day should be a day of love! But the fact that only one day a year is specially dedicated to this great feeling makes February 14th an even more special day, with all those millions of people around the world declaring their love for one another. Despite the belief that this is a holiday created by florists and chocolatiers to sell more flowers and chocolate, Saint Valentine's traditions actually stretch back hundreds of years in time. They originate from the Feast of Saint Valentine, the patron saint of happy marriage and love.
We have gathered for you some interesting stories dedicated to Saint Valentine from different European countries…
Italy
This story comes from one of the most romantic countries in the world, Italy. On February 15th, the Romans used to honor their gods, asking them to protect their harvest and livestock, and to bless them with prosperity and fertility. The evening before what is now Saint Valentine's Day, men and women would put their names in a bucket, and a child would choose which couples would be brought together. They then celebrated with songs and dances, knowing they would live together intimately for one year. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius I abolished this pagan ritual, replacing it with the celebration of Saint Valentine.
England
In 1700 in good old England, a very popular custom was celebrated. On Saint Valentine's Eve, women had to attach five bay leaves sprinkled with rose water to their pillows. One leaf was attached in the center, and one in each of the four corners of the pillow. Before going to bed, women had to recite the following prayer: 'Be good to me, Saint Valentine; in my sleep may I see my true love.' If the incantation worked, the woman was able to see her future husband in her dream. This gives new meaning to the phrase 'Sweet dreams,' doesn't it?
France
An unusual (and somewhat cruel) Saint Valentine's tradition in France was called 'Loterie d'amour' ('Love Lottery'). Single men and women would gather in houses positioned opposite each other on the street and take turns calling to each other through the windows, until everyone had paired up. Men who were not satisfied with their chosen partner could simply leave the woman for another. After the pairing was done, women who remained alone would make a huge bonfire on which they would burn the images of the men who had rejected them. This practice got so out of hand that the French government was forced to ban the custom.
Germany
Saint Valentine's Day in Germany is becoming more and more popular, but it is not as commercial as in other parts of the world. American soldiers actually brought it as a custom to the country after World War II. Quite a good trick to impress German ladies, isn't it? The first Saint Valentine's Ball was organized in 1950, and since then lovers exchange flowers, chocolate, or heart-shaped gifts on February 14th. Do you think flowers and chocolate are not inspiring enough? Then why not be creative and give a piggy (not a real one, of course) to your beloved? Piggies symbolize luck in Germany, although such a romantic gesture can easily be 'lost in translation.' And the expression on your loved one's face after receiving a chocolate piggy might not turn out to be what you expected.
Poland
Many Poles make a romantic pilgrimage to a small town about 50 kilometers northwest of Lodz, near the Vistula River, called Chelmo, a.k.a. the 'City of Love.' Why? A small parish church in this town has been displaying for some time a relic that is said to have belonged to Saint Valentine. This relic, a small piece of skull, is housed in a silver reliquary that is dated to 1630 AD. Whether this is true or not is not important, because people continue to travel to Chelmo every year to declare their love for one another. And ultimately, that's all that matters, isn't it?!….
We hope these stories have enriched your knowledge of this relatively new holiday for Bulgaria. If you have decided to travel to one of these countries on February 14th, you will be able to show off your knowledge to your new friends, whom you will certainly meet there.
To be even more convincing, try to learn the appropriate language so you can communicate freely with the locals about the next Saint Valentine's Day! Sign up for your language course NOW!