Valentine's Day in Poland

Many Polish people celebrate Valentine’s Day (Walentynki), a day associated with romance and love, on February 14.

Valentine's Day - one of the most romantic days of the year for some couples.

©iStockphoto.com/NadyaPhoto

What do people do?

Valentine’s Day focuses on love, romance, appreciation and friendship. Chocolates, candies shaped in red hearts, and other gifts are given to loved ones on Valentine’s Day. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Women’s Day are also observed in Poland, in which friends, partners, and family members received gifts, cards or flowers.

Public life

Valentine’s Day is not a national public holiday in Poland.

Background

The origins of Valentine's Day are not clear but many sources believe that it stems from the story of St Valentine, a Roman priest who was martyred on or around February 14 in the year 270 CE. Valentine’s Day is also celebrated in many countries worldwide.

Symbols

Hearts, the colors red and pink, roses, images and statues of cupids, and cupids’ bows and arrows symbolize the feeling of romance and love on Valentine’s Day. Cupid is usually portrayed as a small winged figure with a bow and arrow. In mythology, he uses his arrow to strike the hearts of people. People who fall in love are sometimes said to be “struck by Cupid's arrow”.

About Valentine's Day in other countries

Valentine's Day Observances

Other holidays in February 2013 in Poland