Stacey Seaside

Greek culture has embraced the celebration of Valentine’s Day.

On the eve of “the feast of love,” the promotions and kitsch are all over Greek media and programming.

I opened my emails to a notification from Aegean Airlines:

“Love is on board with our Valentines 1+1 offer. “

Greece has seamlessly joined the commercial marketing to promote products and services with the excuse of Valentines.

(They also celebrate Halloween–which boggles my mind. More on that in October.)

Originally I wanted to write about chocolate–because who doesn’t love the stuff?

But the email from Aegean forced me to put aside the draft I had readied for today’s blog focused on chocolate and its Mayan and Aztec history as “bitter water,” Instead, better to consider the celebration from a culture I know much better.

Lacta Chocolate has been marketing love for years–even its colors are red and white!

And the commercials–focused on both romantic to platonic to parental love–they truly tug at the heart strings when we see life improved –with said Lacta Chocolate bar shared!

And this week all the morning talk shows are suggesting how to celebrate whether it is through unique gifts, heart themed home cooked meals or just an event to remember.

If you are in Athens, you will find the usual hawkers on the street light corners pushing red bouquets.

Clothing stores, particularly those that cater to undergarments, are bedecked with red hearts and of course all of the local restaurants are offering romantic menus for two.

Even the “dollar store” or at least the Greek version–“1 Euro Store,” has tons of doodads that are red and heart shaped.

It is also highly convenient, in terms of holiday decor, that Mardi Gras or Apokries didn’t actually kick off until this weekend so there is no decor competition between the confetti, streamers, masks and pink or red hearts!

Then of course there is “Galentines.” The Valentines antithesis celebration has gotten no traction in Greece yet. But it is certainly going to come with so many single women disappointed by the celebrations around the day dictated by romantic twos instead of Gal Pals who embrace the love in friendship, as Galentines does.

Valentine’s Day in Greece is a vibrant mix of global and local traditions. Celebrations here reflect the influence of Western culture. But Greeks celebrate love with a unique flair, often intertwined with the country’s rich history, culinary traditions, and artistic expressions.

For Greeks, it’s less about following a “foreign” holiday and more about embracing an occasion to show love and appreciation—a sentiment that aligns perfectly with their culture.

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While it is not a historically Greek holiday, it has become widely celebrated in Greece, particularly among younger generations.

 

The idea of celebrating love resonates deeply with Greek culture, as ancient Greek mythology and literature are rich with stories of love, passion, and devotion:

Eros (Cupid): The ancient Greek god of love and desire, Eros (Roman counterpart: Cupid), was a prominent figure in Greek mythology, representing the power of romantic attraction.

Aphrodite: The goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, is another central figure, often associated with themes of love and romance.

Valentine’s Day (Ημέρα του Αγίου Βαλεντίνου) became popular in Greece in the mid-20th century, especially after the influence of Western media and consumer culture. Today, it is widely celebrated with familiar customs such as:

Gift Giving: Greeks exchange romantic gifts like chocolates, flowers (especially red roses), Jewlery, and perfumes.

Romantic Dinners: Couples often go out for candlelit dinners at restaurants or tavernas, enjoying a romantic evening together.

Love Letters and Cards: Writing heartfelt messages in Valentine’s Day cards is another common practice.

And Greeks also have a religious base in the celebration. There is an actual Agios Valentino.

Although not a prominent saint in Greek Orthodox Christianity, his feast day (February 14th) has been adopted as part of modern Valentine’s Day celebrations.

Saints Akylina and Mamas: Some Greeks prefer to honor Orthodox saints more closely associated with love or marriage, such as Saints Akylina and Mamas, who are celebrated for their virtues of devotion and fidelity.

And although chocolate is welcomed the world over, particularly on February 14th, Greeks are not shy about gifting a traditional Greek dessert like baklava (a rich, sweet pastry with honey and nuts) or loukoumades (honey-soaked doughnuts), which symbolize sweetness in relationships.

Island Getaways: Romantic escapes to Greek islands like Santorini, Mykonos, or Rhodes are popular for couples looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day in picturesque surroundings. (However, this year, only if you are planning on dumping your partner do you want to travel to the Cyclades thanks to the continuous seismic activity–100 tremors daily!!) On the other hand, if you want to be really dramatic in your romancing you could actually play Carol King’s “I feel the earth move under my feet,” and you might get some geological cooperation!

Romantic Greek poetry and love songs are often part of Valentine’s Day celebrations. Sharing meaningful lyrics or lines from famous Greek poets, like Odysseas Elytis or Constantine P. Cavafy, is a way to express affection.

Younger Greeks, particularly in urban areas like Athens and Thessaloniki, have fully embraced the commercial aspects of Valentine’s Day, including gift shops, social media posts, and elaborate gestures.

Back in “The Village” or on the island, you might have an oldy but goodie wink among his buddies at the Kafeneion that due to the day he is going to get “a little action!”

Beyond Valentine’s Day, Greeks have a strong tradition of celebrating love and relationships.

Cultural values such as philoxenia (hospitality) and filotimo (honor and generosity) are reflected in how Greeks cherish their loved ones year-round.

Valentine’s Day is just one more opportunity to celebrate these connections.

Whether you are joining forces with Gal Pals, cuddling up to your honey, or just celebrating love in general, I hope that your heart is always full!

However you celebrate, Happy Valentines!!