Valentine’s Day

Saint Valentine's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world on the 14th February each year.

Folk traditions

While the custom of sending cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts originated, Valentine's Day still remains connected with various regional customs.

In Norfolk, a character called 'Jack' Valentine knocks on the rear door of houses leaving sweets and presents for children. Although he was leaving treats, many children were scared of this mystical person.

In Slovenia, Saint Valentine or ’Zdravko’ was one of the saints of spring, the saint of good health and the patron of beekeepers and pilgrims. It is also said that birds propose to each other or marry on Valentine’s day.

In South Korea women give chocolate to men on the 14th February, and men give non-chocolate candy to women on the 14th March (White Day). On the 14th April (Black Day), those who did not receive anything on the 14th February or March go to a Korean restaurant to eat black and "mourn" their single life.

Legend or history?

A popular hagiographical account of Saint Valentine of Rome states that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to legend, during his imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. An embellishment to this story states that before his execution he wrote her a letter signed "Your Valentine" as a farewell.

Elemental truths about Brazil

Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil is the largest country in both South America and the Latin American region. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population.

The word "Brazil" comes from brazilwood, a tree that once grew plentifully along the Brazilian coast.

The official language of Brazil is Portuguese, which almost all of the population speaks and is virtually the only language used in newspapers, radio, television, and for business and administrative purposes.

Religion in Brazil was formed from the meeting of the Catholic Church with the religious traditions of African slaves and indigenous peoples. Today Brazil has got the 2nd highest Christian population in the world.

The world’s best and most delicious coffee is produced in Brazil.

Brazil has the biggest rainforest in the world, the Amazon forest.

Scientists have estimated that there may be up to four million species of plants and animals in Brazil.

Brazil has won the soccer world cup five times.

Brazil has one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, the Christ Redeemer statue, located in Rio De Janeiro.

The Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is a world famous festival held before Lent every year and considered the biggest carnival in the world with two million people per day on the streets. The first festivals of Rio date back to 1823.