Interview [Issue 20] Valentine's Day Around the World

[Vikingsrallentando 3,058]

 

Many of us wait for that one day a year from which we confess our love to another, or go out of our way to express our passion for one another. "(St.) Valentine's Day" is celebrated in Febuary and today we take a look at how it is celebrated around the world via our fellow tankmen/tankwomen's descriptions.

Those chosen to represent their country were asked: What is the holiday called in your country/native language? How is it celebrated? Why and who celebrates this holiday? Do you personally observe this holiday? If so, with whom?

@shadewarttt representing Bangladesh:
Valentine's day is known as 'Bhalobasha Dibosh' in Bangla, literal meaning of which is 'Love festival'. Valentine's day has become mainstream for quite some time now and is usually celebrated in the city areas. The young people are the ones to observe this day but the older citizens actually doesn't care. The companies takes advantage of the day and launches various campaigns to get extra cash. I dont like the way the whole city is painted red by these guys! Personally I do not observe this day. Just like the old dudes! I spend the day laughing at couples and ranting about them on the internet!

@Valletta representing Bulgaria:
Here in Bulgaria we have another holiday that's on the same day as Valentine's day in other countries. It is called "Трифон Зарезан" in Bulgarian, and I guess it translates into Trifon Zarezan or St. Trifon the Pruner. It is an orthodox christian holiday that celebrates the work of the vine-growers and wine-makers, and serves as the day that divides the ending winter and the nearing spring. I suppose that this fest is more popular than Valentine's day here because the country is known for its quality wine [/bragging] and its a generally much older and longer celebrated event for the people here. As we "got modern" though, St. Valentine's day started being celebrated as "Св. Валентин", with people giving each other chocolates and cards with wishes and all that good stuff. I personally barely celebrate either of them, probably because I rarely have an occasion for celebrating, but my school has a Valentine's day event of some sort. I guess they have a dance or something, but it's pretty lame, so I don't attend ^_^

representing Canada:
In Canada we call it Valentines Day :) For the younger kids what they do is make this thing that's called a Valentines Day box, What is it you ask?, its a box (eg a cereal box) covered in paper with decorations on it like hearts and roses, and it has a little hole in it where the kids fellow friends put candy in it, Where is the boxes placed you ask?, normally it would be in schools, sometimes churches or the community center. As for the older group of people the thing most Canadians do is send there loved ones boxes of chocolate, roses or just a kiss to show how much they appreciate each other.
Everyone who has a heart in Canada (Which is almost everyone because canadians are known to be nice :P ) celebrate this holiday to show our loved ones, friends, or neighbors how much we appreciate them and love them for what they do, and who they are.Yes I definitely observe this holiday, With who you ask?, Well its just about everyone I know and love, but it's mainly my mother, my father, my brother and sister, and especially my girlfriend.

@sky128 representing Croatia:
The holiday in Croatian is called Sretno Valentinovo. Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. Some go to pubs and bars and have a little party or some go around the country and have a romantic night out. Valentines day is celebrated by anyone who wants to. Why they do this is a mystery, because if you want to show your affections to another person why wait till the retail sector of the society say so if I want to I will just do it! Yes I actually do observe this holiday because all the happy couples having fun having the best day of thier life the sure enjoy it!

 

@jiangreo representing France:

In France, people celebrate "Saint-Valentin" the 14th of February.

At school, every year, exchanges of letters between students are organized by the school. Special cards are distributed one week in beforehand and people can write a card to people they know in school. The 14th of February administration distribute them again to the recipients, passing in all the classes. Some people get tons of letters but some others just get nothing, like me  :lol:

 

representing India:
Valentines day is called 'वैलेंटाइन्स दिवस' ( vailēṇṭā'insa divasa) in Hindi ( national language ). Valentine’s Day is a popular observance around the world.It has recently been popular in India in the past few years.On this day images of cupid, hearts, roses and love birds are seen in most of the places in India.Just like most people in the world, many men and women of India, particularly young couples, celebrate Valentine’s Day in a big way. They dress in fine clothing and show their loved one how they feel about them. Hotels and restaurants are fully booked to accommodate couples who are expressing and celebrating their love for each other. Post offices are filled with flower deliveries of flowers, packages and romantic letters.Valentine’s Day is neither a public nor a private holiday. All offices, schools, colleges, government and private institutions remain open on this day. But those who wish to enjoy the day take a personal holiday to celebrate with their partner. Public transport also operates in full swing on the day. However, there is heavy traffic congestion in many places as many couples go out to enjoy the day. Valentine's Day is celebrated in India because it is a day of love, mostly.A second reason why it is celebrated in India is because Saint Valentine died on this day ( for Christians only). Most of the people in India ( especially young couples ) celebrate and dedicate this day to their partner.Some people even ask for a holiday to dedicate and spend time with their partner. If you ask me then... its something like this... actually i never celebrated this day before. I learnt about this 2 years ago when i was 11. I learnt about this day when i was watching a news show.I have been observing this holiday since then.I have seen a lot of couples walking with each other on the Valentine's Day.I often used to hang out with my ex- girlfriend on this day. Hmm... If you ask me, then i hang out with my friends, enjoy with them and spend a lot of time talking and playing around with them. If you ask me personally, then i dont have a girlfriend now.

representing Lebanon:
Here in my country, Valentine's Day is the ultimate lovers holiday and also a good excuse for having an insanely good time. Valentine's Day in my native language is called "عيد الحب" which is pronounced as "Eid Al-Hob", and its celebrated by couples (married, engaged or just in a love relationship), getting their partners gifts that represent their love (red teddy bears, heart shaped pillows, red roses...) and going out for dinner as a date, plus hosting parties at restaurants, hotels, or resorts where they get singers, celebrities, and entertainment shows and throw a huge dinner. i personally, don't celebrate this holiday for 2 reasons, first is i don't have a girlfriend, second is that where i live (South Lebanon, Tyre) people are so closed minded, specially when it comes to love and such stuff.

representing Lithuania:
It is called Šv. Valentino Diena. In my country, Sv. Valentines day is celebrating by couples. The give eachother pressents like plowers chocholate boxes, surpirzes. In my school we buy heart form stickers and paste it for eachother. Couples, somethimes friends(girl+boy). Because it's nice day and love is in the air :D Yup, I celebrate it with girls :D

@SuperNick95 representing Italy:
It's San Valentino (the literal translation in fact). People celebrate it with presents, as well as suprises and gifts to their loved ones. It's universally observed all over the country and it's a very special occasion for bfs and gfs :) I celebrate it with friends <_<

@LETCHIK_WOLK representing Netherlands:
Well, in the Netherlands we people call it 'Valentijnsdag'. The name is self-explanatory:
Valentijn -> Valentine,
dag -> day.
Usually this holiday is celebrated by writing 'sweet letters' to your beloved. This letter includes a love message and often lacks the name of the writer himself. The somewhat 'older' people give gifts to each other or have a nice romantic dinner. Not everyone's celebrating Valentines day, but those who do, can be very happy and kind on this holiday. This day is pretty popular among 'teens', wanting to share their emotions and feelings with their crush. About me? Uuhmmm... Er... Not sure what to answer... I'm stil single... So... Yeah... :D (I do have found a possible 'love' :P)

@icerugby representing New Zealand:
Well here in New Zealand it's basically just called "Valentines Day". Typically in NZ like most other countries, it represents a day where "lovers" can exchange presents between each other. Why is this holiday celebrated? I have no idea, I guess it's just a day of Historical importance all around the world. From what I know, we don't really celebrate this day, just seems to me like it's a Marketing technique and we don't even have the day off (from work or school like some other holidays) :lol:. I personally do not partake in any of these celebrations (probably because I do not have a girlfriend or someone along those lines) but I buy chocolate on sale since Valentines is the time of the year when Chocolate is cheapest :wub: That is what Valentines means to me.

@Zuzuca representing Portugal:
Called Dia dos Namorados, and the valentine couples give gifts to each other. The St. Valentines night is celebrated with a special romantic dinner. I like to spend this day with someone special.

@Daninator_Dominator representing United Kingdom:
We don't really do much for it, the person we are in a relationship with or married to, we buy them a card, some flowers, chocolates and depending on your age the man would take the woman out for a meal! It's not really a big thing in the UK.

@ChuckNorris2090 representing United States:
In America, people like to rush sometimes and keep things simple. Therefore, everyone just calls it Valentine's Day. It can be called Saint Valentine's Day, or Feast of Saint Valentine, but it's rarely used. Valentine's Day is not a public holiday, which means that schools, government buildings, stores, etc. are all open. Usually, people just show love by sending other people (family, friends, etc.) cards, letters, gifts, flowers, and arranging meals in restaurants, hotels. Cards often have hearts, roses, and Cupid on it. Some common gifts given on Valentine's Day are chocolates, candy, liquor/alcohol, jewelry, and watches. Many different people (or groups of people) do many different things to celebrate this holiday. For example, a donut (doughnut) store called Dunkin' Donuts sells heart-shaped donuts (doughnuts) with pink icing and heart-shaped sprinkles (love them! :P)
I don't really celebrate this holiday, partly because I'm still in high school with a heavy load of (math) homework. :P My family just has a nice meal and a "family time" together. We would have a box of chocolates, but we don't make reservations anywhere, or anything like that. It's actually not a very big holiday for me.

A big thank you to our participants! And remember guys, if your country was not mentioned, please answer the questions and post them as a comment. If you wish to correct someone above please do it kindly!

Thanks for reading; hope you enjoyed and learned something.

[ChuckNorris2090 102]

Nice!

[sky128 327]

:3 I'm there

Nice

Edited January 31, 2014 by sky128

[hogree 4,179]

"I spend the day laughing at couples and ranting about them on the internet!"

 

Fair enough.

[Gio_Control 581]

Go Italy ^_^   :P

 

PS:  lol I'm sorry nick , i'm in the same situation  :D

Edited January 31, 2014 by Gio_Control

[Beerme 106]

Nice :)

[ATHENA123 56]

Canada sounds accurate. They made me make cards and a box in my school up untill grade 6 :P

Nice job!!!

[canadarules 1,938]

lol Canada's is very accurate i should know

[Farhan55 82]

Nice one shade

bhalo bolso

[SirDarkTank 13]

Go BANGLADESH and CANADA!!!!........and everyone else too.

 

Happy Valentines Day to everyone! :wub:

Edited February 3, 2014 by SirDarkTank

[syed313 0]

BANGLADESH ohh yeahhh!!..INDIA my neighbor!!

[shadewarttt 3,350]

I represent Bangladesh. Cool!

[shadewarttt 3,350]

Nice one shade

bhalo bolso

Yeah, thanks. U mean "bhalo type koso"? Lol.

[monkeyburn 13,525]

[A_Jl_E_H_T.00 615]

Sky, "Sretno Valentinovo" means Happy Valentine's Day.

 

That means it is just "Valentinovo"

[Joshua16 780]

Canada sounds accurate. They made me make cards and a box in my school up untill grade 6 :P

Nice job!!!

 

lol Canada's is very accurate i should know

you know it ;)

[ATHENA123 56]

you know it ;)

just us three canadians making our little paper boxes and cards :P

[MyLife_MyReign 256]

cool , im there :) thanks viking :D

[shadewarttt 3,350]

cool , im there :) thanks viking :D

You are representing India but arent you from the Uae?

[DeebanofSpadez 5]

Sky, "Sretno Valentinovo" means Happy Valentine's Day.

 

That means it is just "Valentinovo"

I like how I say it ok?

I don't judge you how you say stuff

You say some sentences with wrong grammar and I don't moan

So don't do it understand?

[MyLife_MyReign 256]

You are representing India but arent you from the Uae?

I'm not from UAE I'm a INdia I live in UAE