CubaPLUS Magazine

Love and Friendship Day—more widely known around the world as Valentine's Day—has become a near-mandatory celebration. After all, who doesn't have a partner or a dear friend to toast to? One could argue it is practically impossible not to.

In Cuba, these festivities are held in such high regard they are considered almost "sacred," making February 14 one of the most eagerly anticipated days of the year.

Historical records show that Valentine’s Day has been celebrated in Cuba since February 14, 1841. On that day, the Tacón Theater (now the Gran Teatro de La Habana “Alicia Alonso”) premiered the contradanza “La Valentina” by Tomás Buelta y Flores.

Two days later, the Diario de La Habana published an article explaining the origin of the event's name: “It is an ancient custom in Scotland for young ladies to choose as 'their Valentine'—named after the saint of the day—the first young man they see after waking up on February 14. The chosen gentleman must then care for, honor, defend, and dance with his lady throughout the entire year.”

From that point forward, the tradition took root in Cuba, where it remains a cornerstone of the culture and will undoubtedly endure for centuries. Today, couples mark the occasion with gifts, greeting cards, and flowers, while many celebrate not only with their partners but also with family and friends.

Rituals and curious ceremonies abound globally. In the United States, for instance, seven couples are famously permitted to wed each year on the 80th-floor observation deck of New York’s iconic Empire State Building.

In Denmark, it is customary to give pressed white flowers known as "snowdrops," while in Japan, women traditionally take the lead by gifting chocolates to their partners. Some couples even climb Mount Fuji to ring the "Love Bell" three times—a gesture meant to ensure eternal love.

It is estimated that roughly one billion cards are exchanged every February 14, and statistics suggest that the average person falls in love seven times before getting married.

At its core, February 14 is a date with centuries of history. Historians trace the celebration back to Ancient Rome and a young priest named Valentine. He was stoned and beheaded for defying Emperor Claudius II, who had banned marriage for young men to ensure they would enlist in the army without distraction. Valentine, however, continued to perform wedding ceremonies in secret.

Centuries later, Valentine was elevated to the altars. In the year 494, Pope Gelasius I officially designated February 14—the anniversary of his martyrdom—as St. Valentine’s Day, known today as the universal day for those in love.