Romantic Festival of Valentine's Day is celebrated with joy and verve in several countries around the world. Every year on February 14, those in love take opportunity of the occasion to reaffirm their love for sweethearts.

Brazil celebrates its day of romance on June 12th and they call it “Dias dos Namorados,” or the Day of the Enamored. But it’s the same deal—couples exchange flowers, chocolates, and presents. It’s celebrated on the 12th of June because June 13th is Saint Anthony’s Day when single women perform “simpatias” or rituals in an effort to rope in a good boyfriend.

South Korea has one of my favorite traditions. On February 14th or White Day, men give candy or gifts to women. Then on April 14th or Black Day, the women who didn’t get anything on White Day go to Chinese restaurants to eat black noodles and mourn the disaster that is their love life.

Slovenia celebrates February 14th with the proverb “St. Valentine brings the keys of roots.” This is thought to be the day that plants and flowers start growing—so it’s the day that farmers and vineyard workers plant seeds.

In Norfolk, Britain, someone referred to as Jack Valentine brings presents and candy to the doorsteps of children and fancier gifts for adults. He knocks on the door and disappears, which freaks out some kids.

You know the drill in America; when you’re little, you hand out perforated cards and hope your crush gives you one of the good ones instead of the obvious “just friends” version.

I can't beleive no one mentioned Dydd Santes Dwynwen. It's Welsh Valentine's Day, on January 25. Its comes from the legend of Saint Dwynwen. She fell in love with a man named Maelon, but her father wanted her to marry someone else, so she cried and an angel came to her and granted her a potion to cool her love, and three wishes.

It's interesting how different cultures view this day, and how they spend it. I use it more as a reminder to show love to everyone special in my life. Focusing just on romantic love is so limiting.

My boyfriend and I ad learned about the Valentine's Day/White Day tradition from several Animes and we'd celebrated it like that the past few years. It was initially a way for me to have a little extra time to think of what I wanted and drop hints, but I like the idea of stretching the whole 'being nice to the one I love thing.'

i am so jealous of south korea now, i want silly holidays all the time! we have far too few with fun little traditions, i'd like some more holidays that don't take over our lives for a whole day like christmas, thanksgiving, easter, 4th of july.maybe i just miss elementary school when every week there was some excuse for a celebration.