Valentine’s Day, the one day of the year where outward displays of affection are openly accepted by the global population. However, in some countries these traditions are somewhat strange, unusual or otherwise suitably romantic.
Italy is undeniably the country of love. In the country where Romeo and Juliet was set, Valentine’s Day traditions are plentiful. Valentines was originally considered a spring festival where the young gathered in gardens and enjoyed poetry readings and music before taking a walk with their loved ones. It was also customary in Turin for betrothed couples to announce their engagement on Valentine’s Day. If you’ve ever watched Letters to Juliet, I’m sure you’ll have a very similar picture painted in your head, of classic stone brick work entwined with greenery whilst couples stroll along cobbled side streets. Another tradition stated that young unmarried girls would wake up before sunrise in order to spot their future husbands. It was said that the first man you saw would be the one you’d marry or would at least look like your future husband. This tradition seems less romantic, and even a tad creepy. However, the Italians have redeemed themselves with today’s tradition of the exchanging of gifts and romantic dinners. A typical gift to receive is baci perugina which are small chocolate covered hazelnuts. This year many lovers flocked to the Verona in Love festival for a truly romantic weekend. Looks like I’ll have to start planning a trip to next year’s event!
A country much closer to home that has slightly different Valentine’s Day traditions is Wales. St. Dwynwen’s Day is celebrated on the 25th of January and is the country’s equivalent to Valentine’s Day. The legend states that in the 5th century Dwynwen, the daughter of the king Brychan Brycheiniog, fell in love with a young man named Maelon. However, like all good romance stories tragedy befell the couple and they were for some reason unable to be together. Different stories supply different reasons for this. Some say that Dwynwen was raped by Maelon, others that her father disapproved of her betrothal to him. However, whatever the reason, Dwynwen was distraught and fled to the woods. It was in these woods where she encountered an angel who gave her a love potion for Maelon. Maelon, however, unfortunately turned into a block of ice. A grief-stricken Dwynwen then prayed and was granted three wishes by God. Firstly, Dwynwen wished for Maelon’s release. Secondly, that God would watch over all the true lovers and help them realise their dreams and wishes. And, finally that she herself would never get married. Dwynwen instead retreated to a life in solitude as a nun on the island of Llanddwyn (think A Midsummer Night’s Dream meets the Sound of Music with a dash of Frozen).
It is also customary in Wales to give love spoons as a gift. This is a tradition which dates back to the 17th century. Traditionally, Welsh men would carve decorated wooden spoons and would give them to the lady they were interested in courting as a gift. The designs on the spoons were symbolic; a horseshoe symbolised good luck, a key symbolised the man’s heart, a wheel is symbolic of hard work and beads represented the preferred number of offspring. Here we have two very different countries with very different Valentine’s traditions, so whatever it is you give to your loved one next year, try a Valentine’s Day with a twist like the Italians or the Welsh do.
By Hope Brotherton