Once we enter the month of February, most people worldwide think about valentine’s day celebrations and the gifts to get for their loved ones. February has come to be known as the month of love, as people commemorate the day with the exchange of flowers, gifts, chocolates, cards, and shared romantic meals.
From my research, I have seen that valentine’s day celebrations aren’t always about exchanging flowers or just for lovers as different countries celebrate it in their unique ways.
In this article, we will look at how some countries in Africa and other parts of the world mark valentine’s day.
Valentine’s day celebrations in different countries
GHANA
On February 14, Ghana Celebrates national chocolate day. This celebration is to create awareness among Ghanaians on the need to consume their cocoa products and generate more revenue for their nation’s development.
This practice started after the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in collaboration with other bodies such as the Ghana Cocoa Board, Ghana Tourism Authority, and Cocoa Processing Company, inaugurated it in 2007.
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africans valentine’s day celebrations are in two ways.
Most couples follow the commercialized celebration route with gifts, chocolates, and romantic dinners. At the same time, some choose to show respect to an ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia by pinning their lover’s name on their sleeves. Historians have drawn links from the festival to be the origin of Valentine’s day.
SOUTH KOREA
Couples in South Korea mark their valentine’s day celebrations on the 14th of each month from February to April.
On February 14, women show love to their men with flowers, candies, and chocolates. Then on March 14, it is reversed as the men shower their women with flowers and chocolates; this day is called white day.
Other Asian countries also mark the white day, for example, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Myanmar, and Singapore.
Then, the singles who don’t celebrate valentine’s day or White day celebrate their freedom on April 14 by dining on black noodles.
PHILIPPINES
Couples in the Philippines are known for taking it a step further beyond the usual chocolates and flowers on Valentine’s day. Most couples officiate their marriages on February 14.
Mass weddings on Valentine’s day are popular in the Philippines, as couples in their hundreds gather in public areas to tie the knot or renew their vows. And these vast events are usually sponsored by their government as a form of public service.
ESTONIA
Estonia celebrates February 14 by honoring both romantic and friendship love.
Estonians mark valentine’s day celebrations by giving gifts and cards to anyone considered a friend, including neighbors. It’s a day that’s not just for couples as friends exchange gifts and love amongst each other.
Another tradition in Estonia valentine’s day celebrations is the love bus that singles ride on in the hopes of meeting their special someone.
Conclusion
Now you know the different ways several countries go about their valentine’s day celebration, with most countries following the commercialized route of celebrating valentine’s day.
I will be exchanging gifts with loved ones on valentine’s day; how will you be celebrating yours? Please let me know in the comments section.
