My OperaValentine's Day Traditions in Italy
Saturday, February 14, 2009 6:55:39 AM
Valentine's Day in Italy
In Italy Valentine's Day is celebrated as a Spring Festival and is held in the open air. The young would gather in leafy glades or ornamental gardens, where they would listen to music and hear poetry read, and then they would stroll off with their valentine together into the gardens.
This custom over the years has ceased and it has not been celebrated for centuries.
In the Italian city of Turin it was customary for an engaged couple to announce their engagement on this day. For a while before the day shops would be decorated and filled with all sorts of bon-bons.
The History and Meaning of Saint Valentine's Day 
Saint Valentine was a Roman who was killed for his faith on February 14, 269 A.D. He had refused to worship pagan gods, and some stories say he was a priest who would marry young couples in secret who loved each other but who did not have parental permission. In 496, his 'saint day' was established. He is associated with love because he fell in love with the daughter of his jailer, and would pass notes to her. His final note, before he was executed, read 'from your Valentine'.
In Italy, with its romantic and religious roots, St Valentine's Day became the traditional day to be engaged. Young Romans would spend this day gathered together in gardens to listen to romantic poetry and music.
Italy
Valentine's Day festival reached its peak in popularity during the Middle Ages. For the lovers, one day in the year dedicated to love and celebration of love meant a great deal. Love notes and flowers were originally exchanged between the beloveds. The idea of Valentine's Day and love being associated together very strongly in the Middle Ages had an interesting origin. Spring time is the season, when birds look for mates to propagate. Specially in France and England, this notion was very strong. But with lots of trials and tribulations, the modern Valentine's Day celebrations are radically different and Valentine's Day in Italy is celebrated with great passion.
In Italy Valentine's Day is celebrated as a Spring Festival and is held in the open air. The young would gather in leafy glades or ornamental gardens, where they would listen to music and hear poetry read, and then they would stroll off with their valentine together into the gardens.
This custom over the years has ceased and it has not been celebrated for centuries.
In the Italian city of Turin it was customary for an engaged couple to announce their engagement on this day. For a while before the day shops would be decorated and filled with all sorts of bon-bons.
The History and Meaning of Saint Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine was a Roman who was killed for his faith on February 14, 269 A.D. He had refused to worship pagan gods, and some stories say he was a priest who would marry young couples in secret who loved each other but who did not have parental permission. In 496, his 'saint day' was established. He is associated with love because he fell in love with the daughter of his jailer, and would pass notes to her. His final note, before he was executed, read 'from your Valentine'.
In Italy, with its romantic and religious roots, St Valentine's Day became the traditional day to be engaged. Young Romans would spend this day gathered together in gardens to listen to romantic poetry and music.
Italy
Valentine's Day festival reached its peak in popularity during the Middle Ages. For the lovers, one day in the year dedicated to love and celebration of love meant a great deal. Love notes and flowers were originally exchanged between the beloveds. The idea of Valentine's Day and love being associated together very strongly in the Middle Ages had an interesting origin. Spring time is the season, when birds look for mates to propagate. Specially in France and England, this notion was very strong. But with lots of trials and tribulations, the modern Valentine's Day celebrations are radically different and Valentine's Day in Italy is celebrated with great passion.
solidcopper # Saturday, February 14, 2009 5:13:30 PM
JillJillee # Tuesday, February 17, 2009 7:16:16 AM
I hope you had a nice Valentine's Day!!
Thanks for stopping over. I appreciate your comment.
Hugs:up:
solidcopper # Tuesday, February 17, 2009 7:17:41 AM
I really learned something from your post.
JillJillee # Tuesday, February 17, 2009 9:51:49 AM
I like 'your' new pic. I hadn't seen it when I was on Opera a few months back. Very Nice!
I'm about to upgrade mine, too. A year later...a year older!
solidcopper # Tuesday, February 17, 2009 9:59:00 AM
JillJillee # Tuesday, February 17, 2009 10:48:22 AM
I always find it difficult to get online as I'm so busy except for this time of night. My favorite in my 24 hours....when the world's asleep...well, almost!! I'm not alone tonight and I'm enjoying your company. Nice to know someone sneeks in here the same time I do!!
I especially like your pic because I love hats!! I probably have more hats than shoes and I had a closet made just to hold all my shoes. Yeah, me and Sarah Jessica Parker!!! LOLL
I'm posting some really cool pics in a little bit. Not mine, but I sure tried today. I didn't know I was on private property. EEEEK!
Hey, I enjoyed our To & Fro! Look forward to more!!
Hugs
solidcopper # Tuesday, February 17, 2009 11:12:03 AM
You should not mind what others do. There are lots of time wasters on the Internet. Good that you are not one of them.
I should get some sleep so I can go out to shoot some pictures too if the weather is nice.
JillJillee # Tuesday, February 17, 2009 11:25:43 AM
Sweet Dreams and I hope the weather holds up for you! AND....I look forward to the pics!!
Have a beautiful day, today!
solidcopper # Tuesday, February 17, 2009 11:30:16 AM
JillJillee # Tuesday, February 17, 2009 11:53:19 AM