Valentine’s Traditions from Around the World

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, various restaurants in the metro are now gilded with heartshaped decorations, while retailers have stocked up on stuffed toys, flowers and a bevy of chocolates choices.

A romantic dinner and the giving of gifts are, after all, typical of Valentine’s Day celebrations in Cebu. But as established as eating out and the gifting and receiving of gifts are as “Valentine’s staples” for Cebuanos, these are not exactly the only ways that the day is celebrated in certain parts of the world.

Here are takes on different “Day of Love” traditions that’re observed in certain countries and cultures – traditions that, one way or another, reflect local ideas and concepts about romance and love.

“National Chocolate Day” in Ghana

In Ghana, February 14 is not only observed as Valentine’s Day but also as “National Chocolate Day”.

Instituted in 2007, the government established the day as a means to increase its tourism revenue – banking on the fact that the country is one of the leading cocoa-producing countries in the world.

Most “National Chocolate Day” celebrations involve the hosting special events that promote novel chocolate specials, apart from having various public performances and music-oriented events.

Winemakers and Wine take Centerstage in Bulgaria

If chocolate takes centerstage in Ghana every February 14, wine and winemakers are put under the spotlight in Bulgaria.

Every February 14, a festival called San Trifon Zartan, which loosely translates to “Day of Winemakers”, is observed in the country, which entails having couples of all ages celebrate their love with a glass of wine.

A “Week of Sweetness” in Argentina

In Argentina – which has been touted as the romance capital of South America – Valentine’s is not a one-day-only affair as it is observed as a week-long celebration that celebrates love in all its forms.

Most of the traditions of the celebration are based on many Valentine’s Day standards like having lovers give each other chocolates and sweets.

It has since evolved to entail different activities, which expand love-related celebrations to include friendships and familial love. It is not observed in February, but in July.

In the Land of the Rising Sun, the tradition of giving chocolate gifts on February 14 is done by women, who give chocolate to their male lovers or men whom they are interested to build romantic relations with.

The tradition comes with a “follow through” in a day called “White Day” every March 14, when males give chocolate gifts to women who gave them chocolates on February 14.

In certain contexts, “White Day” is considered to be a day when “questions” that were asked on February 14 are formally “answered”.