Love Is In The Air

Love Is In The Air

     Spring is all about love. That’s why I want to tell you about the holidays related to this wonderful feeling. Of course talking about love, Valentine's Day is our first thought. However, in some countries it’s not the only holiday for people in love.

Valentine's Day is becoming more and more popular nowadays. Over the centuries of its existence, this holiday was perceived differently by different people. Now it's all the same. Some people find it stupid and ignore it, but others rush to the flower shop, buy teddy bears, invite their valentines to their favorite restaurant or ... make fires! It turns out that not all countries celebrate this date in a simple way. And I want to tell you about some interesting and unusual traditions.

First country that catches attention is Netherlands. It’s not about a special way of celebration, rather this day gives some preference to women. So during this holiday woman in love has the first right to make a marriage proposal to her beloved. According to Dutch, there is no shame in this practice. But in this situation girls win anyways, because if a proposal is rejected, the man must give lady a silk dress.

The next country I want to tell you about is Iceland. People here still honor military traditions. So Valentine's Day is associated here with making fires dedicated to the son of Odin - Wali. But is it related to love? Of course, it is. It is known that passion between lovers can be ignited by a kind of ritual, when the girls hang embers on the guys’ necks, and those in turn hang pebbles on the girls’ necks. Then the couple needs to light a fire in the name of Wali with the help of a spark that appears as a result of the friction of stone by stone.

Japan comes up with its original way to celebrate Valentine's Day. Every year couples from across the country can tell the whole world, or at least Japan, how much they love each other at the event with a very simple and clear title "The Loudest declaration of love." On a special platform lovers cry about their feelings, and the loudest man or woman receives a prize. I should also add that japanese Feb. 14 is like our March 8, but only for men. In addition to traditional razors, wallets and socks, Japanese women give chocolate to their partners. Special cheap chocolates (for those who have a lot of friends) are sold on every corner. The interesting thing is that chocolate is separated in two kinds: one for relatives and friends and another for your beloved. So when you give a certain chocolate to a man, he immediately understands who you are to each other. After a month on March 14 roles change and only women receive presents.

South Korea is also interesting with its traditions. This country loves the number 14. It also has Feb. 14 when men receive presents and March 14 ("The White Day") when women do. But Korean people have one more holiday which is April 14 and it’s called “The Black Day”. On this day "single" men and women, who have not received chocolate or candy in previous months, gather together and go eat noodles in black sauce – that’s why it’s called “The Black Day”. Then comes May 14 which is the day of roses, June 14 is the day for kisses and so on. So the 14 day of every month is a holiday for people in love.

Wales also has an interesting tradition. It is famous for its so-called "love spoons". Before the feast sweethearts carve a spoon from wood, decorate it with hearts, keys and keyholes and give them to each other. This gift literally means: "You have found the way to my heart."

According to popular stereotype, France is the most romantic country. Nevertheless, on Valentine's Day here it is decided to give gifts that are more expensive than cards or chocolate. The traditional present this day is jewelry. And also every year there is a contest for the longest kiss.

In England people give presents not only to people but also to pets - dogs, cats and even horses. However, they are not interested in valentines so they receive sweet biscuits in the shape of hearts.

In Russia we also have St Valentine’s Day, but less and less people celebrate it. Most of young generation ignore this holiday and it makes me upset. Of course not all of us have relationships but why could not we gather together and just have fun this day? I really don’t know, but I hope the situation will change.