Valentine’s Day is here, and love is in the air all around the world! You may be familiar with American Valentine’s traditions like chocolate, candy hearts, and romantic dinners — but around the world, people celebrate this holiday in many unique and different ways!
Want to learn more about the season of love around the world? Then read on!
Bulgaria – Feast of Trifon Zarezan
Luckily for Bulgarians, the patron saint of vineyards, Trifon Zarezan, shares a feast day with Saint Valentine! Because of this, Bulgarians celebrate both great love and great wine on February 14th. Priests perform a traditional blessing over the country’s vineyards, and farmers prepare elaborate feasts for family, loved ones, and visitors highlighting their best wines. Watch some traditional Trifon Zarezan festivities at a Bulgarian vineyard here!
Want to join in the fun? Learn Bulgarian with a private tutor at ICLS!
Korea – Black Day
Valentine’s Day may be a celebration of love for couples, but in Korea, they aren’t the only ones who get to enjoy a holiday to themselves. Two months after Valentine’s Day, on April 14th, single people all over Korea commemorate their status by eating jjajangmyeon. Jjajangmyeon is a beloved dish imported to Korea from China, featuring noodles smothered in a dark, rich black bean sauce and giving this “singles holiday” its name — Black Day!
Learn more about fun traditions like this one by studying Korean with ICLS private language classes!
Estonia – Sõbrapäev
In most places, Valentine’s Day is a celebration of romantic love — but in Estonia, it’s actually a celebration of friendship! Called Sõbrapäev, February 14th is the day Estonians give gifts, candies, and cards to friends and family to show their appreciation.
Estonian is an exciting language to learn. Try your hand at it with private language classes at ICLS!
Wales – Feast of Saint Dwynwen
The Welsh celebrate their patron saint of lovers, Saint Dwynwen, a little earlier than the rest of the world. On January 25, couples in Wales exchange elaborately-carved “love spoons” etched with symbols to express affection. Learn more about the art of spoon-carving here!
Do you love exploring new cultures? Then start your next language adventure at ICLS! We offer language learning experiences for all, taught by expert instructors and designed to help you reach your personal and professional goals. Explore our online group language classes and Lifelong Language Learning Program to pick the language and experience that’s best for you.
