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1 mars 2009

Valentine's day

We think it's a great idea to deal with origins of the Valentine's day. Well, we celebrate this day, with or without enjoying it, depending on your point of view about the question.
So, in fact, Valentine's day is a traditional celebration of anglo-saxon countries and had a real development in France
only until the eighties.

But how was this celebration created?

It could be thanks to St Valentin under Claude II's reign. Claude II is said to be a Roman emperor who forbade weddings because he didn't want his soldiers to stay with their fiancée instead of going to the war. St Valentin disagreed with emperor's way to resolve the problem and decided to marry all lovers on the sly. However, he was discovered and put in jail until the rest of his life.

Though, it's only from the end of the Middle Age that Valentine's day really began! Indeed, during this period the valentinage was born in the English aristocracy. What's the meaning? Well, a young lady and a man had to spend one day together paying presents for each other and complimenting the valentine, in a secret way of course! Step by step, poems were written and finally, this proof of friendship became lovers' celebration!
Besides, in anglo-saxon countries, friends keep exchanging letters for Valentine's day, especially children for their best friends.

Of course, exchanging cards evolved with our time. If they used to write themselves their letters, nowadays people buy cards or send them by computer generally.

From the eighteenth century, this concept grew and was generalized in Great Britain and in the North of America. It's at the end of the world war II that Valentine's day was brought by the GI in Europe.

So, lovers thank Great Britain!! (or not hé hé)

Hélène C. et Amandine C.

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