It is the day of Love originated in the Country of Love! Here some fun facts about the Italian San Valentino.
THAT’S AMORE!
If you say Italia, you say amore, passion and romance. And of course, the Love Day originated in the Country of Love.
We called it “Festa Degli Innamorati,” the lovers’ holiday. Originally this celebration was a pagan rite honoring Juno, the queen of Roman gods and goddesses or Lupercus, god of fertility; then the Catholic Church flipped it into a Christian festivity. The origin is not clear because there are two saints with the name Valentino that could be related to the celebration, both champions of love.
GIVE ME 100 KISSES!
Chocolate candies, flowers and teddy bears are the top three traditional gifts on Valentine’s Day. The most famous love candies are Baci by Perugina - one of the leading Italian producers. Baci (the Italian word for kisses) are simply delicious, made with dark chocolate and hazelnut. They are renowned for the romantic message hidden in the wrap.
A RECENT TRADITION: “LUCCHETTI DELL’ AMORE”
This isn’t a historic tradition, but a relatively new practice among young “innamorati.” When you visit some of the most famous bridges in the main Italian cities (like Rome, Venice, Florence or Naples) you will notice hundreds of padlocks as symbol and promise of everlasting love. The young lovers fix the locks and then throw the key…hoping that love will last forever!
LOVE DICTIONARY, SAY AMORE!
Italian is the sweet language of love…at least we believe that! If you want to impress your significant other this Valentine’s Day, try it with some smooth Italian. Here is our mini Italian love dictionary. Ti amo (I love you); Buon San Valentino (Happy Valentine’s Day); Tu sei il mio amore per sempre (You are my forever love); Ti amo ogni giorno di più (I love you more every day); Sei bellissimo (You are handsome); Sei bellissima (You are beautiful).
ARE YOU SINGLE? YOU CAN CELEBRATE SAINT FAUSTINO
The day after Valentine's Day – February 15 - is officially the national Singles’ Day. It is called Saint Faustino's Day, after the name of the saint protector of people in search of their soulmates.
