February 14, known as Valentine's Day or the Day of Lovers, is a special date when couples celebrate their love and express their feelings. This holiday is celebrated in various countries, not just in Argentina, and has become an important time for commerce, offering special deals in food and gifts.
In countries like Puerto Rico, Estonia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Peru, February 14 is celebrated as the Day of Love and Friendship, allowing people to celebrate with both their partners and friends. Although in Finland, the situation is different, as they commemorate it similarly to Friend's Day, celebrated in Argentina on July 20.
In Finland, February 14 is called Ystävänpäivä, translated as Friendship Day, a day when Finns show appreciation to family, neighbors, classmates, and colleagues. For them, this date is not exclusive to couples but is dedicated to honoring friendly relationships.
In this culture, Valentine's Day is seen as a very American and Anglo-Saxon tradition, so they prefer to emphasize friendship over romanticism. Therefore, in Finland, friends and loved ones can receive gifts like flowers, chocolates, or be invited to special activities, such as going to the movies or dinners, regardless of their marital status.
Although some couples choose to plan something special and different on this day, they are not the majority in Finland, where the main focus remains on celebrating affection and friendship towards all the loved ones in their lives.
