Valentine's Day in 7 countries around the world

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and with it, shops in many places are filled with heart-shaped candies, plush toys, balloons and chocolate varieties. While shops filled with red balloons and gift items are a common sight on Valentine's Day in India and a few other nations, couples in Bulgaria celebrate their love with a glass of excellent local wine, lovers in Wales exchange special, handmade wooden spoons, and Romanian couples head to the woods to pick flowers and wash their faces with snow for good luck. Valentine's Day celebrations around the world take place in different ways that reflect local ideas about love.

Valentine's Day around the world is celebrated in the name of St. Valentine, but who is this mysterious saint and why is this day celebrated with such gusto! Although the truth behind the festival isn't very clear, there are a few stories you might like to know. Valentine is said to have been a priest who served in 3rd century Rome, and when Emperor Claudius II announced that single men were better soldiers than those with families and wives, he also forbade the marriage of young soldiers.

Valentine was against this injustice to young people and began to perform secret marriages for young lovers. When the emperor learned of Valentine's actions, he ordered the saint to be killed. The other story suggests that the saint was killed while helping Christians escape from harsh Roman prisons where they were tortured. Gradually, St Valentine became so popular that couples around the world began to celebrate Valentine's Day as the day of love.

Valentine's Day traditions in 7 countries around the world

1. France - Epicentre of Romanticism

The first Valentine's Day card is believed to have originated in France when Charles, Duke of Orleans, sent his wife love letters from prison in 1415. And the French village called "Valentine" becomes the epicentre of romance. between 12 and 14 February. Tourists can see the beautiful courtyards, trees and houses decorated with love cards, roses and marriage proposals. It's probably the most beautiful Valentine's Day tradition in the world.

2. Ghana - National Chocolate Day 

In Ghana, 14 February is celebrated as "National Chocolate Day". It's a step the government of Ghana took in 2007 to increase tourism in the country. Ghana is among the largest cocoa-producing countries in the world. On 14 February, you can attend shows, musical events and restaurants that have themed menus for this special day.

3. China - Sisters' Table

In Miao, southwest China, the "Sisters' Table" festival is celebrated on 15 March as a celebration of Valentine's Day. During the festival, women wear silver accessories and beautiful dresses, which are probably the most beautiful Valentine's Day customs in the world. Various dishes are cooked from coloured rice which are offered on silk cloths to the young people. The destiny of the lovers is found out from the object discovered in the chosen rice. Two chopsticks mean love and a clove of garlic means love is over before it begins.

4. Estonia - A holiday for all

On 14 February, Estonia celebrates the day of friendship known as Sobrapaev. This holiday includes everyone from couples to singles. So not just couples, but family members and friends exchange gifts and celebrate love.

5. Wales - St Dwynwen's Day

In Wales, Valentine's Day is celebrated in the most unusual way. The country celebrates its day of love on 25 January, which is called 'St Dwynwen's Day'. On that day, lovers exchange unique and beautifully handcrafted wooden spoons with each other. This tradition has been practised since the 16th century.

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6. Japan - Unique gift exchange 

Japan does things quite differently. Love is celebrated on 14 February, and women buy gifts and chocolates for their mates or lovers. Men are not allowed to give gifts until 14 March, which is called "white day".

7. Spain - St Dionysius' Day marzipan

Love Day in Valencia - Spain falls on 9 October. This is known as the feast of Saint Dionysos. The festival is celebrated in most parts of Spain by making "macadora", a marzipan figurine. The figurines are made by men to give as gifts to their girlfriends. People can also watch colourful parades through the streets of Spanish villages.

Romania - Dragobetele 

If you are looking for a very romantic and unusual Valentine's Day celebration around the world, then Romanians will not disappoint you. The day is celebrated on February 24 - on Dragobete as the day when young couples get engaged. It's basically a mix between Valentine's Day and the celebration of the spring season. Young people go into the woods to pick colourful flowers, while other couples wash their faces with snow for good luck.