Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Europe since 13th century, in US since 1777 and Ukraine jumped on bandwagon in early 1990’s, when Soviet Union collapsed and all post-soviet countries were highly influenced by western lifestyles and traditions. There are few legends about this holiday. St Valentine was a catholic priest, a martyr, who died for love. He was executed on the 14th of February for helping legionnaires to wed with their beloved ones. Although in that time Roman emperor prohibited his soldiers to fall in love or get married.
St Valentine is known for helping people who are in love, he is a patron of all lovers. Every year on the 14th of February people give each other paper hearts in order to commemorate their love. In Ukraine young tradition to celebrate this catholic holiday is really popular among people, especially among youth. It is so popular that flowers at flower-shops on this day cost 3-4 times more then on regular day.
So how do people like to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Ukraine, apart buying extremely expensive flowers? First of all, this holiday divides people in to groups – single and, well, not single. Those single ones tend to feel themselves miserable sitting all alone starring at their computer on the festive evening of Valentine’s. So even single ones try to spend this day with somebody and to share their love with their friends.

For lovebirds there are tons of ways to spend this special evening. In Ukraine lovers really appreciate spending their Valentine’s evening at a fancy restaurant or café or maybe at a cinema. There is definitely special romantic movie in every cinema for couples to see on this day. So much people are going out on this evening that it’s not always possible to find yourself a free place anywhere without prior reservation.

But for those who forgot to book beforehand there are always some fun going on outside. For example almost every year festival of kissing is held at Taras Shevchenko park in the center of the city. Hundreds of couples gather there and kiss as long as they can. Also people like to let off flying lanterns to the sky. Usually people gather in some place like park and do it all together in big companies.
Also last year on Independence square (Maydan Nezalezhnosty) a huge steal heart was erected so that everybody could put their Valentines in it. Apart from that there is a traditional place in Kiev for lovers – it is Lovers bridge in Mariinsky park. People come there to put some small things like pieces of cloth on its railings. It is said that by doing that you’re making your wish come true.
On the special evening of Valentine’s Day couples love to give each other gifts. Sometimes those are bears and candies for women and cologne for men and sometimes it’s something more personal like celebratory dinner made by your girlfriend or boyfriend.
At schools there is always some kind of dances for children and a “love mail” – you can write somebody “I love you” without telling who you are. Or you may put is straight away! Halls of schools and universities are decorated with red hearts and paper flowers. As well as clubs and restaurants, where visitors can enjoy special Valentine’s Day menu and music.