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In Thailand, love is, literally, in the air. More and more thrill-seeking Thai couples are getting married while hanging off the sides of cliffs, sky-diving or doing other gravity-defying stunts. Some take it to another level and tie the knot under water! For more traditional fare, Thai women lay red roses, candles and incense at the feet of a Hindu deity in the Trimurti shrine in hopes of finding a husband.
SOURCE:
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/02/valentines-day-around-the-world/100009/
http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/02/13/valentines-day-traditions-around-the-world/slide/thailand/ -
In Guatemala, the Day of Hearts is known as “El Dia del Cariño.” In the country’s capital, locals and tourists dress up in feathered masks or vivid Mayan attire and partake in a senior citizens’ parade called “Old Love.” The Day of Hearts also goes by the name amor y amistad or “love and friendship” during which Guatemalans exchange flowers, chocolates and cards with their friends as well as to their lovers.
SOURCE:
http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/02/13/valentines-day-traditions-around-the-world/slide/guatemala/
http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/valentine021411/s_v03_11028318.jpg -
During Valentine’s (or “Valentinstag” in German) lovers buy each other giant heart-shaped gingerbread cookies. They usually come with an attached ribbon so that men can drape the sweets around the shoulders of their special someone. A common German endearment is “schatz” which means “treasure.”
SOURCE:
http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/02/13/valentines-day-traditions-around-the-world/slide/germany/ -
February 14 is the most popular wedding day for Filipinos. Every year, hundreds of couples tie the knot in the same place. This year, PAG-IBIG Fund is hosting a mass wedding for couples who can’t afford marriage fees. The country has also tried breaking the record of most number of simultaneously kissing couples since 2004. The event, held at malls all over the country, begins at midnight when all couples kiss at the same time.
SOURCE:
http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/02/13/valentines-day-traditions-around-the-world/slide/phillipines/ -
In Iraq, you can get questioned by police just by holding hands. Public courtship may be suppressed and discouraged in this country, but this hasn’t stopped Iraqi couples from creating their own Valentine’s Day traditions. For instance Iraqi Kurds believe in a “feast of love” when they decorate red apples with cloves which they offer to their partners on Valentine’s Day. The act represents the story of Adam and Eve and is said to bring prosperity and love.
SOURCE:
http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/02/13/valentines-day-traditions-around-the-world/slide/iraq/
http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/valentine021411/s_v09_09073495.jpg
In the city of Verona, setting of “Romeo and Juliet,” tours are organized to commemorate Shakespeare’s tragic love story. Tourists can retrace the footsteps of the doomed lovers or compete in a contest of who can write the best love letter to Juliet. Lovers who contemplate Juliet’s statue are said to be blessed with good fortune. Adding to the romance are the beautiful city’s vineyards, cobblestone streets and countless candle-lit restaurants.
SOURCE:
http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/02/13/valentines-day-traditions-around-the-world/slide/italy/ http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2009/jan/14/verona-romantictrips
In Croatia, lovers flock to a heart-shaped island called Galesnjak, now more popularly known as “Lovers’ Island.” Many lovers from around the world have asked the owner of the uninhabited island to stay there for a romantic Valentine’s Day break.
The ancient Roman festival of “Lupercalia” is celebrated in South Africa. During the festivities, young girls pin their lover’s name on their sleeves. In certain places, the boys follow suit. It’s a declaration of love when lovers literally “wear their heart on their sleeve.”
SOURCE:
http://www.stvalentinesday.org/valentines-day-in-south-africa.html
In Barcelona, Spain, lovers exchange romantic tokens on 2 days: Valentine’s Day and “La Dia de Sant Jordi” or St. George’s Day. The latter celebration is held every April 23 and is a commemoration of the gallantry of St. George who saved a princess from an evil dragon. On this day, this supremely romantic and heroic deed is celebrated by the giving of romantic trinkets. Red roses used to be the popular choice but in recent years, men give books! April 23 is the day William Shakespeare and Miguel Cervantes died and was declared World Book Day by UNESCO. A Spanish bookseller really knew how to make a holiday to his advantage!
SOURCE:
http://gospain.about.com/od/spanishfestivals/f/valentines_day.htm
Though chocolate is a big part of V-day celebrations all over the world, Valentine’s Day in Japan is all about chocolate. Every February 14, the “giri choco” tradition is observed. Japanese women give chocolate to their boyfriends, male friends and superiors. It’s not uncommon for a woman to buy 20 boxes at a time to fulfill this tradition. The incredible amount of chocolates sold on this day explains why V-day chocolate sales account for more than half of the chocolates sold annually in Japan. But a month later, it’s the ladies' turn to receive something. On March 14, known as “White Day,” men shower their sweethearts with jewelry, lingerie and of course, more chocolate.
SOURCE:
http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/02/13/valentines-day-traditions-around-the-world/slide/japan/
