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Valentine's day

The 14th of february is in Anglo-American culture the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery. But what is the rest of Europe doing on the day of courtly love? In France, Spain, Netherlands, Denmark and Norway Valentine's Day is celebrated in much the same way as other western countries. It is not celebrated to a large extent, but many people take time to eat a romantic dinner with their partner, to send a card to a secret love or give a red rose to their loved one.

In Sweden it is called Alla hjärtans dag ("All Hearts' Day") and was launched in the 1960s by the flower industry's commercial interests, and due to the influence of American culture. It is not an official holiday, but its celebration is recognized and sales of cosmetics and flowers for this holiday are only exceeded by those for Mother's Day. In Finland Valentine's Day is called Ystävänpäivä which translates into "Friend's day". As the name indicates, this day is more about remembering all your friends, not only your loved ones. In Estonia Valentine's Day is called Sõbrapäev, which has a similar meaning. In Portugal it's more commonly referred to as "Dia dos Namorados" (Boy/Girlfriend's Day)

In Slovenia, a proverb says that "St Valentine brings the keys of roots," so on February 14, plants and flowers start to grow. Valentine's Day has been celebrated as the day when the first work in the vineyards and in the fields commences. It is also said that birds propose to each other or marry on that day. Nevertheless, it has only recently been celebrated as the day of love. In Romania, the traditional holiday for lovers is Dragobete, which is celebrated on February 24. It is named after a character from Romanian folklore who was supposed to be the son of Baba Dochia. Part of his name is the word drag ("dear"), which can also be found in the word dragoste ("love"). In recent years, Romania has also started celebrating Valentine's Day, despite already having Dragobete as a traditional holiday. This has drawn backlash from many groups, reputable persons and institutions[32] but also nationalist organizations like Noua Dreaptǎ, who condemn Valentine's Day for being superficial, commercialist and imported Western kitsch. Although derived from the Christian figure St Valentine Turkish bussiness doesn't lag behind with 'Sevgililer Günü', which translates into "Sweethearts' Day".

But even regional differences are possible. In Spain's Catalonia it is largely superseded by similar festivities of rose and/or book giving on La Diada de Sant Jordi (Saint George's Day). In Wales, many people celebrate Dydd Santes Dwynwen (St Dwynwen's Day) on January 25 instead of or as well as St Valentine's Day. The day commemorates St Dwynwen, the patron saint of Welsh lovers.

In february 2010 we had a webpoll to ask which of a preselected list of European lovesongs you'd prefer. And received hundreds of votes and Turkish singer Nilüfer with 'Seni seviyorum' became the absolute favourite. Below you'll find all results.

Nilüfer: Seni seviyorum 52.67%  
Teresa Kesovija: Moja posljednja i prva ljubavi (My first and last love) 24.27%
Anna Maria Jopek: Jeśli myślisz, że ja cię nie kocham 8.25%
Miquel Bose: Te amare (I love you)  5.34%
Dalida: Je me dore dans tes bras (I sleep in your arms)  2.43%
Claudio Baglioni: Questo piccolo grande amore (This little big love)  2.18%
Frida: Älska mig alltid (Love me for ever)  1.94%
Jacques Brel: Quand on n’a que l’amour 0.97%
Manto: Σ' ΑΓΑΠΩ ΓΙΑ ΑΥΤΟ ΠΟΥ ΕΙΣΑΙ (In love for all time)  0.97%
Ainars Mielavs: Es izvēlos būt (Unbutton my shirt) 0.49%
Anne Linnet: Ingen anden drøm (No other dream)  0.24%
Marika Gombitová: Vyznanie (Confession)  0.24%
Bløf: Omarm (Embrace)  0%
Peter Maffay: Du (You) 0%

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