Valentine's Day: A Celebration of Love and Affection

Valentine's Day, also known as Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14 as a holiday of love and affection between intimate partners. It is a day when traditionally people exchange gifts, flowers, sweets, and cards with a theme of stylized hearts, as a symbol of love.

Origin of Valentine's Day

The origin of Valentine's Day is unclear. According to one legend, Valentine was a Roman priest who secretly married couples who were forbidden to do so by the emperor. The emperor then lacked soldiers and had Valentine executed on February 14. Other sources say that in ancient Rome, in the middle of February, the so-called Lupercalia were held, festivals of fertility, in which men chased through the streets with whips made of goatskins. Girls tried to escape them to be knocked to the ground and caressed with a whip. This ritual was supposed to ensure fertility and happiness.

The celebration of Valentine's Day gradually spread to other countries in Europe and America. In the Czech Republic, it began to be celebrated only after the fall of communism.

How Valentine's Day is Celebrated

Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world in different ways. In many countries, it is an opportunity for couples to express their love and affection. They give each other gifts, such as flowers, chocolate, jewelry, or vouchers for romantic experiences. Valentine's parties, dinners, or concerts are also often held.

In the Czech Republic, popular Valentine's Day gifts include flowers, especially roses, chocolate, jewelry, and vouchers for romantic experiences.

Valentine's Day Traditions

In addition to gifts, other traditions are also associated with Valentine's Day. In some countries, for example, people kiss under a flowering tree or exchange Valentine's cards. Valentine's events, such as concerts, theater performances, or exhibitions, are also often held in the Czech Republic.

Valentine's Day is a holiday that is meant to remind us of the importance of love and affection in our lives. It is an opportunity to express our feelings to our loved ones and show them how much they mean to us.

Love is a powerful emotion that can have a great impact on our lives. It can fill us with joy, happiness, and a sense of security. It can also hurt us and cause us pain.

Love is a universal language that we can all understand, regardless of language, culture, or religion. It is a gift that we should cherish and appreciate.

• "Love is the only thing we can share and yet increase." - Eleanor Roosevelt

• "Love is like the wind. You can't see it, but you can feel it." - Helen Keller

• "Love is the only wealth that increases by being shared." - Elizabeth Barrett Browning

• "Love is the most powerful force in the universe." - Paulo Coelho

• "Love is what gives life meaning." - Leo Tolstoy

And how to say that you love someone?

• I love you.

• I'm in love with you.

• I care about you.

• You mean the world to me.

• You're the love of my life.

No matter how you celebrate Valentine's Day, take some time to appreciate how much you love your loved ones.

Useful vocabulary

• boyfriend / girlfriend - přítel / přítelkyně
• partner - partner, partnerka
• spouse - choť (manžel i manželka)
• fiancé / fiancée - snoubenec / snoubenka
• wife / husband - manželka / manžel
• ex-boyfriend / ex-girlfriend - bývalý přítel / přítelkyně
• get engaged - zasnoubit se
• engagement - zasnoubení
• wedding - svatba
• honeymoon - líbánky
• (romantic) relationship - (milostný) vztah
• break up - rozchod, rozejít se
• divorce - rozvod, rozvést se
• unrequited love - neopětovaná láska
• love life - milostný život
• love letter - milostný dopis
• love affair - milostný poměr
• first love - první láska
• true love - opravdová láska