Valentine's Day - a History of Celebration, Love and Lust

A way to celebrate St. Valentine's Day.

A holiday is always a good time to take that plunge and celebrate life, happiness, love ...

Well, now that brings me to my key point. Celebrating Saint Valentine's Day.

Researching this, imagine my surprise when I find out it doesn't go back to the ancient Romans with Cupid etc. but it actually even goes further back than that. To my heritage. No, you're thinking of my Ulster Scott – Gaelic heritage? Actually, I'm thinking the other heritage that I have – ancient Greece.

Regardless of that minor fact, it is readily discernible, through a little research, that humankind has celebrated love, lust and marriage for eons.

Isn't it funny that we think of taking our lover out for dinner and drinks is something new that we've discovered? Then find out that ancient peoples have been doing that - I mean the orgies, the love, the lust, the drinking to excess, eating strawberries, telling your lover that you love her or him - kind of mind blowing. When I first started this piece, I thought what of the people in France, what do they do – sure enough they celebrate Valentine's Day. What about Britain? Do they celebrate Valentine's Day? Sure enough, they do; might be slightly different than what you & I might do here in the Americas. However, we have in common with many cultures that we celebrate our affection toward another person. And I'm hoping that you're not doing that just once a year.

No need to be reminded
to tell 
someone you love them!

Boire

A Nick 'n Nora martini glass
with its own Cupid Arrow!

Cosmopolitan Cocktail       
Vodka, or Gin* 4 cl 
Lime juice 1.5 cl
Triple sec 1.5 cl
Cranberry Juice 3 cl

Garnish with slice of lime, and don't forget to chill that Martini glass, sil vous plait.

    *reportedly a 1930s cocktail, originally created with gin base

Appetizer - fresh strawberries with freshly whipped cream, highlighted with some vanilla extract, orange zest and a little sugar

        or be daring and go for the Oysters on the Half Shell

Music - Carla Bruni - "Little French Songs"

The Ancient Greek History of Celebrating Love. 

Dating back thousands of years to the Spring Festival Arcadian Lykaia, the month of Gamelion (February), it was a celebration in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Plutarch writes it was later to be taken to Rome and celebrated in February as Lupercalia Festival. Possibly on February 15th or in a range of dates in the middle of February. 

How about that for the evolution of St. Valentine's Day!