February 14 - Valentine's Day: where to celebrate, how the tradition of giving valentines appeared

Valentine's Day is one of the most romantic holidays of the year. It is celebrated annually on February 14. On this day, it is customary to confess tender feelings to your significant other and give Valentine's cards. In 2025, the celebration falls at the end of the working week. About when the holiday appeared, in what countries it is celebrated and how to spend Valentine's Day, tell "Izvestia".

History of Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14

The holiday is associated with the life story of the ancient Roman priest Valentine. He lived in the III century and, despite the ban on Catholic weddings in force at the time, secretly married lovers. When this became known to the emperor, Valentine was captured and imprisoned in a dungeon and sentenced to execution.

According to legend, while imprisoned, the priest met the blind daughter of the jailer and fell in love with her. On the eve of the execution he left a love letter to the girl, signing it "your Valentine". When the letter turned up at the prisoner's beloved, a miracle happened: she regained her sight.

Since then, on February 14, the day of Valentine's execution, it is customary to write love notes and celebrate Valentine's Day. The holiday has other names - St. Valentine's Day, or Valentine's Day.

Meanwhile, a number of researchers believe that Valentine's Day is an echo of the pagan holiday Lupercalia. The celebration was dedicated to the Roman god Faunus, who sends fertility to crops, animals and people. The celebration was accompanied by many rituals that were censured by the church. At the end of the V century, Pope Gelasius I banned the festival and declared February 14 Valentine's Day.

The holiday gained the greatest popularity in Europe, the United States, Canada, as well as in some countries of Asia and Latin America. In Russia, the celebration appeared in the early 1990s, but the attitude to it is ambiguous. Some believe that Valentine's Day contradicts Russian culture, and even call for its abolition. However, in our country there is an analog of the Western holiday - the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, which is celebrated on July 8.

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Traditions of All Lovers' Day - 2025

One of the main traditions of Valentine's Day is to give each other cards-valentines. The first such pictures with cupids and couples in love date back to the XV century. They were especially popular in England, and then in other countries. Today Valentine's cards are the best-selling cards in the world, and they are given not only to lovers, but also to parents, friends and relatives.

Every year for those who have already found their love or are just looking for it, they organize all kinds of contests, concerts and dating evenings. The Internet publishes a lot of lifehacks, how to organize a romantic date and what to surprise on Valentine's Day. Cinemas are showing romantic movies, and museums and libraries are organizing thematic exhibitions and other events. A lot of events are prepared in parks and central squares.

Thus, in Moscow on Valentine's Day there will be a big festive concert in the Kremlin Palace. And at the largest skating rink in the capital, at VDNKh, on February 14, dance master classes on ice will be held. Excursions, thematic photo zone and interactive program are also waiting for guests. Other sites of the city will join the celebration. In addition, the capital's cafes and restaurants have prepared campaigns for lovers.

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What to give for Valentine's Day on February 14

On the eve of the celebration, stores offer a wide range of goods for the holiday. However, it is not so easy to decide on a gift. It is better to focus on the personal preferences of the other half or choose universal gifts - flowers, chocolates, soft toys, gift certificates and perfume.

Another desirable gift is jewelry. Elena Rakutina, an expert of SOKOLOV jewelry holding company, told Izvestia that classic earrings-poussettes or kongo rings will be a win-win option in this case. In addition, this year especially relevant jewelry with heart motifs.

A good gift will be an original date in an unusual place or dinner at a restaurant with a picturesque view. For those who like to experience new impressions event-agencies offer hot air balloon flights, sleigh rides, all kinds of quests and trainings on building harmonious relationships.

You can also take advantage of celebration ideas that exist in other countries. For example, in Spain there is a tradition to send love messages with carrier pigeons on Valentine's Day. In Japan, it is customary to make wishes under the falling stars. And in France on this date, many lovers plan to propose marriage and heart.

Earlier "Izvestia" told how much gifts for Valentine's Day cost.