CubaPLUS Magazine

Every February 14, Valentine's Day, of love and friendship, is celebrated in many countries around the world, including Spain, France, Austria, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Puerto Rico and Cuba. But do you know the origin of the date? Now we tell you.

Back in the 3rd century, during the government of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius Valerius Claudius in Gothic, better known as Claudius II, lived the priest Valentín Faustino de Berriochoa, who secretly married couples in love, which the monarch prohibited, since he considered that young soldiers as singles were better on the battlefields because they had no ties.

One day Claudius II learned of the priest's contempt and sent him to prison and he was executed on February 14, 270. According to records, the first celebration of Valentine's Day took place on February 14, 494 and this date was official for  the Catholic  Church, until Pope Paul IV stopped celebrating it.

In 1069, during the Second Vatican Council, the holiday was eliminated from the liturgical calendar. Starting in the 15th century, however, Valentine's Day became popular around the world. In Cuba this festival took place for the first time on February 14, 1841, when Pedro Téllez Girón, Prince of Anglona, ruled the island.

That day, the businessmen who ran the then new Teatro Tacón –currently Gran Teatro Alicia Alonso, in Havana– had the idea of offering a great dance and the contradanza “La Valentina”, by Tomás Buelta y Flores, was also premiered. Since then, every year Cuban lovers, friends and families celebrate Valentine's Day in many ways: with gifts, parties, dinners... but yes, I would dare to assure that there is no lover who fails to celebrate the date.

From the 15th century onwards, Valentine's Day became popular around the world. In Cuba, this festival took place for the first time on February 14, 1841, when Pedro Téllez Girón, Prince of Anglona, ruled the island. That day, businessmen who ran the then new Teatro Tacón – currently Gran Teatro Alicia Alonso, in Havana – had the idea of offering a great dance and the contradanza “La Valentina”, by Tomás Buelta y Flores, was also premiered.

Since then, every year Cuban lovers, friends and families celebrate Valentine's Day in many ways: with gifts, parties, dinners... but yes, I would dare to assure that there is no lover who does not. From the 15th century onwards, Valentine's Day became popular around the world. Since then, every year Cuban lovers, friends and families celebrate Valentine's Day in many ways: with gifts, parties, dinners... but yes, I would dare to confirm there is no lover who does not give his or her partner a beautiful flower bouquet as a symbol of unconditional love.

A big congratulations to all lovers and friends on this beautiful day.