LOVE is in the air! It’s almost that time of year when all couples celebrate their love for one another (and the day most singles dread!). Couples often go out for dinner and profess their love for each other by exchanging gifts such as flowers and chocolates. But how did a seemingly ordinary day in February become one of the most celebrated events worldwide?

 

The origins of Valentine's Day date back to ancient Rome, when it was known as Lupercalia — a festival which celebrated the beginning of spring and when women were paired with men as a rite for fertility (Britannica, n.d.).  However, it became known to be a day that celebrates romance much later in the 14th century. Another (much more gruesome) legend states that Emperor Claudius II had two men named Valentine executed on the 14th of February and thus the Catholic Church announced that they would celebrate this day to honour their martyrdom (NPR, 2022). 

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While Valentine’s Day is not traditionally a major celebration in the Netherlands, its popularity has grown in recent years, largely due to western commercialization. Despite this, the Netherlands has its own romantic tradition. The Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) in Amsterdam offers a truly enchanting setting for love. According to legend, couples who kiss on or beneath this iconic white drawbridge will be blessed with eternal love (I Amsterdam, n.d.). So, if you’re in Amsterdam, take a romantic stroll and seal your love with a kiss!

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Regardless of its commercialization, there’s something undeniably heartwarming about a day dedicated to love. From all of us at INTER Times, we hope everyone finds a special way to celebrate this day—whether by sharing love, receiving it, or simply appreciating the connections that make life meaningful!