Valentine’s Day Traditions from Around the ASA World
February 14 is a holiday that divides opinions. You may go all out with the romantic indulgences of Valentine’s Day, feel overwhelmed by its commercialism, or simply have a good laugh at its cringe factor.
But have you ever wondered how it’s acknowledged or celebrated around the world? Here’s what Valentine’s Day looks like in the ASA countries:
ARGENTINA
In Argentina, February 14th’s “Día de los Enamorados” is celebrated by some locals. It’s usually marked with a fancy dinner in a local restaurant, and often extends to friends as well. But in this passionate country, there’s actually a whole week dedicated to love and affection that holds greater significance for locals. This is called “Semana de la Dulzura” or the “Week of Sweetness” (which was actually invented as a marketing ploy by Arcor, the biggest candy manufacturer in Argentina). During this week, candy is exchanged for kisses. Expect passionate public displays of affection. It takes place in July and the week usually ends with a “friendship day”.
CHILE
Valentine’s Day is much loved in the country of poets! Chileans celebrate “Día de San Valentin” with enthusiasm. There are decorations in the shops and streets and then people go out for walks as couples to see all of the hearts, flowers, and balloons. There’s a lot of marketing around Valentine’s Day here. Couples go out for dinner and exchange gifts. Across the country, concerts are held with music that’s meant to get the romance flowing, and nightclubs are usually packed in celebration of the occasion. There’s a popular drink called mote con huesillo (made of juice from dried peaches and cinnamon which is then mixed with freshly cooked husked wheat) that is commonly enjoyed in the summer here, but also popular on Valentine’s day. Other foods popular on the day of lovers are cazuela (a typical soup dish) and pastel de choclo (a corn and beef casserole).
FRANCE
There’s a strong connection to Valentine’s Day in France. Lovers have been exchanging romantic letters and small gifts on Valentine’s Day since the Middle Ages. France is said to be where Valentine’s Day cards originated and the custom is still strong today – though they are only exchanged for romantic reasons, not between children or friends. These were called “cartes d’amities” with their sweet and often poetic messages inside. Earlier traditions saw single women gathering together and men choosing their preferred match like a “lottery of love”—an activity that is now banned. Now, Valentine’s Day is mostly acknowledged in a similar to the US in the sense that couples give chocolates, roses, and jewelry – but it is much less commercialized here. Restaurants may offer a Valentine’s Day menu though, and there may be some parties and cabarets to mark the occasion. In France, love is typically seen as something to be celebrated year-round, rather than on one specific day.
GREECE
In the land of Aphrodite, Greeks traditionally celebrate love on two different days. The first is on February 13. The proximity to Valentine’s Day can be confusing, but this day is actually devoted to Saint Priscilla and Saint Aquila. Then, on July 3, there is the Feast of Saint Hyacinth, also a celebration of love and poetry. Valentine’s Day began to gain some interest from lovers in the 70s though, mostly thanks to the marketing initiatives of creative florists. Some couples now celebrate by eating a nice dinner. A fair amount of chocolates, roses, and other small tokens of love do tend to fly off the shelves at this time.
IRELAND
In Ireland, Valentine’s Day is not a huge celebration. People may pray for love and celebrate in a personal way, with small gifts, a nice meal, or by spending quality time together. There’s a common gesture that often takes place on Valentine’s Day which is the exchange of Irish Claddagh Rings. They stand for love and friendship and loyalty and have been a tradition since the 17th century. In Irish culture, this is an immense gesture of love and care for someone. The relics of Saint Valentine are kept in a church in Dublin which you can visit. There’s a notebook nearby where people write messages to the saint.
ITALY
In romantic Italy, where Valentine’s Day has strong roots (San Valentino was Italian), “La Festa di San Valentino” is not actually a national holiday, but it’s celebrated as a spring festival. Traditionally, unmarried women would wake up before sunrise to spot a future husband. Legend had it that the first man they saw would become their husband. Valentine’s Day is seen as a couples holiday only (mostly for young or new couples) so no “Galentine’s Day” festivities and kids don’t exchange cards or attend parties either. Similar to the U.S., couples often share a meal. They might exchange gifts like chocolates (a small box called a “baci perugina” with a romantic quote printed inside the box in several languages), flowers, or jewelry. Love locks (names written on padlocks and attached to bridges or railings) recently became popular, though most places have now banned this practice due to the damage they cause and there are fines in place for those who are caught.
NETHERLANDS
As American culture infiltrated the Netherlands in the 1990s, Valentine’s Day, or “Valentijnsdag”, became something to celebrate, but it’s never been anywhere near as popular as in the U.S. In this country that is so well-known for its flower production, gifting mixed bouquets is one way the Dutch like to show affection and appreciation for their partners. Chocolates are also popular Valentine’s Day treats. Some people give cards or go out for dinners. Often it’s the love-struck teenagers who make the biggest deal of the holiday.
SPAIN
It depends on which part of Spain you are in, but “El Día de San Valentín” may not be as popular as other common days dedicated to love such as La Diada de Sant Jordi, on April 23, when in Catalonia (including ASA city Barcelona) roses and books are exchanged: “A rose for love and a book forever”. Or October 9th when Valencians celebrate their Dia de Sant Dionís, the patron saint of lovers. Valentine’s Day itself often takes place during the time of Carnival, a big festival season in Spain, especially in places like the Canary Islands which hold the largest street festival outside of Brazil during this time of year. Valentine’s Day is also sometimes jokingly referred to as Día de El Corte Inglés (El Corte Inglés is Spain’s most popular shopping center) a nod to its reputation as a day of consumption. Those who do celebrate will have date nights and exchange small gifts, similar to those in other countries who acknowledge the day.
UNITED KINGDOM
As in many places outside of the U.S., Valentine’s Day has gained in popularity in the U.K. over recent years, but it has long been celebrated in one way or another. For example, in Saxton England, boys would give a girl they were interested in a pair of gloves or a similar gift. The exchange of Valentine’s Day cards was commonly seen from Victorian times when they were often made of materials like satin ribbons, velvet and lace. In Wales, there’s a tradition of giving carved wooden “love spoons”. About half of Brits currently celebrate Valentine’s Day, and evidence of this is most commonly seen in bigger cities like London. Perfumes, flowers, chocolate, romantic dinners at home, and date nights are all common ways that people enjoy the day.
Will you be home or abroad for Valentine’s Day next year?