| Valentine's Day, later martyred for having celebrated the marriage between a young Christian and a pagan legionnaire, became the protector of lovers, because his countrymen asked him for his wedding blessing to adapt to the Christian customs that the saint advocated. Even today the city of Terni remembers the Feast of the Promise and every year, in the basilica dedicated to Valentine's Day, hundreds of future spouses give life to this ceremony, exchanging a promise of love and the celebrations of love continue throughout the month of February with various cultural events, art, festivals and liturgies.If in Italy Valentine's Day is the feast of lovers and is celebrated with gifts, chocolate and romantic appointments, in the rest of the world the customs are very different from each other In the United States, for example, the celebrations involve the whole family, because it is the feast of those who love and not only of boyfriends. Children, who prepare nice cards and sweets for parents, classmates and teachers, are particularly involved. In England, too, you exchange chocolates and flowers, but especially the famous romantic cards called Valentine, addressed to the loved one. The custom is that the sender remains anonymous, to make the message even sweeter. This tradition seems to date back to the 15th century, when Charles d`Orleans, a prisoner in the Tower of London, sent letters to his beloved wife calling her "ma tres doulce Valentinè".In Spain it is customary for a man to give a bouquet of red roses to his fall in love, while in Japan women must give chocolates to their companions, but also to friends, work colleagues or schoolmates as a sign of friendship; one month later, on March 14 during White Day, men will have to return the gesture with white chocolates.In Thailand, people only get together to celebrate the feast of lovers when the decision has been made to get married, while in Finland and Estonia, February 14 is the day of friends, which is celebrated in company, rather than in pairs by candlelight. |
