Culture

Valentine's Day is a traditional celebration of Anglo-Saxon countries that has been spread to  other countries along the C20th. Lovers, girlfriends boyfriends, husbands and wives express their love and affection each other.  Also, among friends is usual to express your friendship and gratitude. On February 14 we celebrate this custom, the big day of friendship and Love.

In Anglo-America in 1840, Esther A. Howland began selling the first mass postcards Valentine, known as "valentines" with symbols like a heart or Cupid, but with the rise of the Internet has spread the habit of exchanging e-cards. 

Esther A. Howland's card of Valentine's day

Also on this day is common tradition of giving roses to those people who have a special affection. The colours of these flowers can be red for love and white for friendship. Also, during this day is very common to give chocolates or teddy bears with an “I love you” in their belly.

But do you know why this day is called St. Valentine's day? Here you have a short story about its history.

St. Valentine's Story

Let me introduce myself. My name is Valentine. I lived in Rome during the third century. That was long, long ago! At that time, Rome was ruled by an emperor named Claudius. I didn't like Emperor Claudius, and I wasn't the only one! A lot of people shared my feelings.

Claudius wanted to have a big army. He expected men to volunteer to join. Many men just did not want to fight in wars. They did not want to leave their wives and families. As you might have guessed, not many men signed up. This made Claudius furious. So what happened? He had a crazy idea. He thought that if men were not married, they would not mind joining the army. So Claudius decided not to allow any more marriages. Young people thought his new law was cruel. I thought it was preposterous! I certainly wasn't going to support that law!

Did I mention that I was a priest? One of my favourite activities was to marry couples. Even after Emperor Claudius passed his law, I kept on performing marriage ceremonies -- secretly, of course. It was really quite exciting. Imagine a small candlelit room with only the bride and groom and myself. We would whisper the words of the ceremony, listening all the while for the steps of soldiers.

One night, we did hear footsteps. It was scary! Thank goodness the couple I was marrying escaped in time. I was caught. (Not quite as light on my feet as I used to be, I guess.) I was thrown in jail and told that my punishment was death.

I tried to stay cheerful. And do you know what? Wonderful things happened. Many young people came to the jail to visit me. They threw flowers and notes up to my window. They wanted me to know that they, too, believed in love.

One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard. Her father allowed her to visit me in the cell. Sometimes we would sit and talk for hours. She helped me to keep my spirits up. She agreed that I did the right thing by ignoring the Emperor and going ahead with the secret marriages. On the day I was to die, I left my friend a little note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. I signed it, "Love from your Valentine."

I believe that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine's Day. It was written on the day I died, February 14, 269 A.D. Now, every year on this day, people remember. But most importantly, they think about love and friendship. And when they think of Emperor Claudius, they remember how he tried to stand in the way of love, and they laugh -- because they know that love can't be beaten!

Valentine Traditions

Hundreds of years ago in England, many children dressed up as adults on Valentine's Day. They went singing from home to home. One verse they sang was:

Good morning to you, valentine;
Curl your locks as I do mine ---
Two before and three behind.
Good morning to you, valentine.

William Shakespeare, the famous English playwright, mentions this belief in Hamlet (1603). Ophelia, a woman in the play, sings:
Good morrow! 'Tis St. Valentine's Day
All in the morning betime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your valentine! 

In Wales, wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!"

In the English-speaking countries like England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, USA and Australia;   there are Valentine's Day dinners and dance parties all over the country. 

Those couples that don't want to share their love with other couples are used to having private celebrations in homes or restaurants.

Also, in USA kids celebrate St. Valentine's Day. Usually schools organize a set of activities to celebrate this day . Kids sing songs, dance and performance drama plays. Kids also give handmade gifts to their classmates or friends and to their teachers.

El Día de San Valentín es una celebración tradicional de los países anglosajones que se ha extendido a otros países a lo largo del siglo veinte. Amantes, novios, novias, maridos y mujeres expresan su amor y afecto durante este día. También es muy habitual que los amigos expresen su amistad y gratitud. Esta costumbre se celebra el día 14 de febrero; el gran día de la amistad y el amor.

En 1840,  en la América anglosajona una mujer llamada Esther A. Howland comenzó a vender en masa las primeras tarjetas de San Valentín , conocidas como "valentines", con  corazones o Cupidos, pero con el auge de Internet se ha extendido la costumbre de intercambiar postales virtuales. También en este día es común  regalar rosas a aquellas personas a las que  tienes un cariño especial. Los colores de estas flores pueden rojo para el amor y  blanco para la amistad. También es muy común regalar bombones  u ositos de peluche "Te amo" en la barriguita.

Mañana que es día de San Valentín,

todo en la mañana estará dispuesto,

y yo seré la doncella que irá a tu ventana,

para ser toda tuya, Valentín

En Gales, se tallan cucharas de madera y son dadas como regalo de amor el 14 de febrero. Corazones, llaves y cerraduras son los adornos favoritos en las cucharas. La decoración quiere decir, "Tú abres mi corazón!"

En los países de habla inglesa como Inglaterra, Gales, Irlanda, Escocia, EE.UU. y Australia, se celebran cenas de San Valentín, fiestas y bailes por todo el país. Las parejas que no desean compartir su amor con otras parejas, suelen tener fiestas privadas en casas o restaurantes.

En EE.UU. los niños también celebran San Valentín.  Por lo general, las escuelas organizan un conjunto de actividades para celebrar este día. Los niños cantan canciones , bailan y representan obras de teatro. Los niños también dan regalos hechos a mano a sus compañeros de clase o amigos y a sus maestros.

Today we celebrate the Australia Day. Today, 26th January; Australian people commemorate the establishment of the first settlement at Port Jackson. Australian people celebrate this day throughout the whole country.

During this day, people have a day off work and goes to a park, near the river or to the beach to picnic with friends or family. There, they can enjoy a series of activities like sports or different performances. Usually, these performances are outdoor concerts, barbeques, sports competitions and fireworks. All communities throughout all the country celebrate this day. As you can see in the video, in Melbourne there are a lot of activities focused on the multiculturalism of the country.

Another important event during the Australia Day is the one of the city or Perth. (City of Perth Skyworks) .In Perth, there is a fireworks show that is held over the Swan River. The Skyworks usually last around a half an hour and are launched from bridges, sky scrapers and boats.

Also, there are a set of citizenship ceremonies where a lot of people get the Australian Citizenship. People that go to Australia in order to work want to have the Australian Citizenship. in Australia there is a strong patriotism, not only from the citizens but also from people from foreign countries.

Other important events are those of the Order of Australia awards. Local governments give The Australia Day Achievement Medallion to citizens because of their “significant contribution to the Australian community and nation”. Also, the Prime Minister announces the Australian of the Year.  Other categories are Young and Senior Australian of the Year and the Australia’s Local hero.

Music is all around the country during the Australia Day. The biggest festivals are the Big Day Out, the Triple J, and the Hottest 100. But the important one is the Australia Day Live Concert , on the grounds of the Parliament House in Canberra, which is televised nationally.  

During this day, you can hear the unofficial national anthem of Australia, “Waltzing Matilda”. Here you have the lyrics.

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong,
Under the shade of a Coolibah tree,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boil,
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boil
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

....................

Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me,
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

.....................

Up rode the squatter mounted on his thorough-bred
Down came the troopers One Two Three
Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing Matilda Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me
Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker-bag
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.
......................

Up jumped the swagman sprang in to the billabong
You'll never catch me alive said he,
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing Matilda Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me

See how it is celebrated the Australia Day in Melbourne (Spanish)

http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/espanoles-en-el-mundo/espanoles-mundo-melbourne/1078863/

Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Firework Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in Great Britain. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. Celebrating the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London, and months later the introduction of the Observance of 5th November Act enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure.

Songs, Guys and decline

One notable aspect of the Victorians' commemoration of Guy Fawkes Night was its move away from the centres of communities, to their margins. Gathering wood for the bonfire increasingly became the province of working-class children, who solicited combustible materials, money, food and drink from wealthier neighbours, often with the aid of songs. Most opened with the familiar "Remember, remember, the fifth of November, Gunpowder Treason and Plot".The earliest recorded rhyme, from 1742, is reproduced below alongside one bearing similarities to most Guy Fawkes Night ditties, recorded in 1903 at Charlton on Otmoor:

Don't you Remember, The Fifth of November, 'Twas Gunpowder Treason Day, I let off my gun, And made'em all run. And Stole all their Bonfire away.		The fifth of November, since I can remember, Was Guy Faux, Poke him in the eye, Shove him up the chimney-pot, and there let him die. A stick and a stake, for King George's sake, If you don't give me one, I'll take two, The better for me, and the worse for you, Ricket-a-racket your hedges shall go.  Also, you can watch V of Vendetta movie which inspiration is taken from this night.

You can learn more about Guy Fawkes and the Bonfire Night here:

http://guyfawkesnigthcursomagis.blogspot.com/