Saint Valentine’s Day

When all the fun of Christmas and New Year is over, the rest of January is dreary and cold. But before long the empty shops seem to come to life once again with displays of attractive and brightly coloured «I love you» Valentine cards.

On February 14^th it’s Saint Valentine’s Day in Britain. It is not a national holiday. Banks and offices do not close, but it is a happy little festival in honour of St. Valentine. It is lovers’ day celebrated in the entire world. This lovely day is widely celebrated among people of all ages by the exchanging of “valentines”. Some British newspapers have got a page for Valentine’s Day messages on February 14^th.

St. Valentine was a priest who lived in Rome and died for his faith in A.D. 170. His feast happens to fall on February 14th - the traditional day for lovers. Therefore St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers.

The Valentine tradition has undergone a sort of revival in Britain. There seems to be no limit to the variety of cards on sale for this celebration. They are happy or sad, romantic or humorous, serious or ridiculous. You can pay anything from 10p to 10 pounds, depending on the depth of your love and the depth of your pocket!

Of all the Valentine cards on the market the humorous variety seem to be the most popular. But traditionally you must never write your name on it. Anonymity is, of course, part of the thrill of sending Valentine cards. The person receiving it must be left to wonder. At least it is good to know that in this troubled world love is still living and spreading a little happiness, especially in dreary February.