Valentine's Day (All Lovers' Day)
Description:
Officially, the Day of Lovers has existed for more than 16 centuries, but the holidays of Love have been known since ancient pagan cultures. In mid-February, the Romans celebrated Lupercalia, a festival of eroticism in honor of the goddess of love Juno Februata.
Mass Valentine's Day is celebrated since the XIII century in Western Europe, since 1777 in the United States.
In Belarus, this holiday has become universal since the 90s, with the arrival of Western mass culture. Since then, Belarusian lovers on February 14 give each other gifts, send cards. Students are the hottest fans of the holiday of all lovers. Many universities place special mailboxes for letters and wishes, confessions of love. And in universities of art profile, students together with teachers arrange “Valentine gatherings”, where they read their works, discuss love lyrics of poets from different countries, present theatrical programs.
Universities host festive events, psychological games, competitions for couples, turning off the choice of Valentina and Valentine in 2008. Also on February 14 in large universities there is a “pigeon mail” for lovers. And for those who are already confident in their feelings, a solemn registration of the state of love is held. The ceremony is headed by a real “Amurchik”, which registers couples in a special book, presents them with memorable certificates. Lovers swear an oath of loyalty to each other.
In addition, the “mass kissing” campaign has become a tradition in Belarus. In stadiums, bridges, parks and squares, couples and passers-by gather and exchange a “long kiss” on command.