Valentine’s Day Around the World

BY ALICIA SPINNER, with contributions by Jo Mockford, Giseli Vargas, Mara Schichwarg, Laura Ni, Nana Tsujino, Rita Rojano, Song Park, and Tiffany Phos. All ISD parents.

Every year, before St. Valentine’s Day, Cultural Bridges team members get questions from parents who have never experienced this holiday, or they had but in a very different way. And the reason for that is that this holiday, and the way we celebrate love and friendship, looks different depending on which country you are in.

In Argentina, for example, St. Valentine’s is called The Day of the Lovers. Couples exchange gifts and have special dates. But friendships are celebrated during the Day of the Friend on July 20th, when friends get together to celebrate. They also have the Week of Sweetness from the 1st to the 7th of July. During that week, according to tradition, if you kiss someone, that person should give you a sweet treat.

In Brazil, St. Valentine’s Day is not celebrated. Lovers’ Day is held on June 12th, and couples exchange gifts. But this is also a holiday for couples, and not for friends. Friends Day is on July 20th, and nowadays, kids trade cards just like they do for Valentine’s here.

In China, St. Valentine’s is celebrated on the 7th day of July, but kids do not give cards or gifts to friends at school. But the most important day for lovers, equivalent to the way St. Valentine’s is celebrated in the U.S., is the Shangyuan or Lantern Festival. This traditional event is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month of the lunar calendar . It is an important day for young couples to meet up.

In England, Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14th. It was here where the tradition of gifting a heartshaped box of chocolates started. Children send cards to only one or two friends who they choose as their Valentines. It is not so much a friendship thing but is more related to love. Traditionally, the cards were sent anonymously and by mail, but nowadays, children often make clear who is sending each valentine.

In Japan, this holiday is celebrated on February 14th. Women buy gifts and chocolates for their male companions or lovers. And if a woman wants to go out with a guy or just wants to show him her love, she can give chocolates to him. Men do not return gifts until March 14th, which is called the “white day.” Kids give chocolate to other kids. Schoolaged boys like to show off how many chocolates they get from the girls!

In Mexico, St. Valentine’s Day is celebrated also on February 14th, but it’s called Day of Love and Friendship, and it is celebrated similarly to the U.S., but kids do not exchange little cards at schools. A game that is popular with friends is Secret Friend, comparable with what is called Secret Santa here. Also, it is common for schools to organize a kermes (carnival). One of the most popular booths in this event is where kids can get “married.” They get something to wear, such as a veil for the girl and a hat for the boy. They also need to sign their certificate and exchange rings. At the end, they kiss each other on the cheek! Now, a special way that adults celebrate is by hiring a mariachi band to serenade their loved ones at midnight.

In Colombia, this holiday is also called the Day of Love and Friendship. It is celebrated on the second Sunday of September. They also organize the Secret Friend, even at schools. Kids take little presents for their secret friends for a week and at the end have a party to unveil the secret friends.

In Thailand, St. Valentine’s looks very similar to that of the U.S., an excuse for shopping, eating out, and a popular day to getting married! But their most romantic celebration is called Loy Krathong or Floating Lantern Festival. This one illustrates the close relationship between the Thai way of life and the water. On the night of the full moon of the 12th Lunar month (usually in November), young couples make wishes for their future together while they release lit floating rafts onto waterways and lakes across the country. Candles and incense are usually lit on the floats making for a beautiful and romantic sight on the waters.

These are just samples of different ways that love and friendship are celebrated around the world. It is important to note that the celebration of Valentine's Day has been banned in some countries, such as Pakistan, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia, due to beliefs that conflict with Islamic culture. In India, it is common to see protests again this celebration since it is regarded as a front for "Western imperialism."

While Valentine’s Day is recognized worldwide, it's not celebrated by everyone. Whether it be for economic, personal, religious, cultural, or philosophical reasons. However, at some of our elementary schools, and as an optional activity, children are allowed to give their classmates little cards they get in stores or that they create. If your family doesn't celebrate this holiday, please make sure you communicate this with your child’s teachers.

We wish all your days are full of love and good friendships. And if you celebrate this special holiday, we hope you have a very happy one!