In our modern world of the news running fast and the hip spreading wide it is sometimes easy to forget that what we think to be the accepted standard**is a belief that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
I think, I’m probably correct in stating that most people I know across countries and continents on this day celebrate Valentine’s Day, provided the 14th of February is memorable in first place. In fact, most celebrate a particular embodiment of Valentine’s Day, namely, the flowers & chocolate giving among lovers – to the extent that some perceive the day of the red hearts as depressing.
Not in Finland. What Google translates with Valentine’s Day is, in Finnish, more accurately translated into Friend’s Day. In fact, the root of the Finnish word Ystävänpäivä is Ystävä which is translated in English into ‘friend’. (Päivä means ‘day’.) And so I experienced this week that what I have been taking for granted is one of those days during which Finnish people use to give postcards among friends.
Incidentally, I find the Finnish tradition of Ystävänpäivä so much more loving. Friend’s Day not only includes your lover but your past lover, your friends and families as well.
Therefore, a Wonderful Friend’s Day!
(Ihanaa Ystävänpäivää!)