online bulletin
| Valentine?s Day |
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| Friday, 12 February 2010 21:35 |
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We don’t have to introduce this one to our guests from Western Europe. However, in Poland it’s only been celebrated since the 1990s. But Poles, especially Polish women, have welcomed the holiday with open arms. Valentine’s Day is also a great opportunity for all tradesmen and service providers to sell us their goods, which is why since the beginning of February shops, bars, restaurants and cinemas have been preparing for the big day. According to the legend, St. Valentine was a Roman bishop that was famous for his powers of healing but who, in a time of great persecutions, died a martyr’s death. However, it’s unknown how he became the patron saint of people in love. Maybe because his ‘day’ is the exact same day that birds choose their partners in Britain? Or maybe it’s thanks to the Roman assumption of the pagan festival honouring Juno, the Goddess of Women, on the 14th of February? The fact is, that St. Valentine has been patron of lovers since at least the 15th century. In Poland, as in other countries, couples in love give each other small gifts and send Valentine’s Day cards, and often also go out to cinemas or restaurants. It’s worth stressing that on Valentine’s Day in Poznan it’s almost impossible to find a free table or buy tickets to the cinema. Traffic jams outside the cinemas are bigger then, than at any other time of year. Before Valentine’s Day with its Valentine’s cards came to Poland, we had a holiday that was equally pleasant, especially for the ladies. However, some claim that it was just another occasion for the men to celebrate! International Women’s Day, because that’s what we are taking about, falls on the 8th of March and has been widely celebrated for many years. At work, women would receive good wishes and presents – new tights, soap or coffee – and the mandatory single carnation for which a receipt had to be signed! Such gifts, at a time of great hardship, were very useful. However, in 1993, Prime Minister Hanna Suchocka removed its official bank holiday status. Some men try to get out of the flower-giving by saying that it’s a holiday created by the communists, but they couldn’t be more wrong. The holiday was actually first celebrated in the country of pure capitalism – the United States. American women started to celebrate this holiday before the First World War, back in 1909. Nowadays, the 8th of February is most commonly celebrated in kindergartens where children prepare cards for their mothers and teachers. We’re sure none of the ladies would turn down a flower or a small gift. Nice gestures like that are always welcome! |
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