Ekaterina Shcherbina, specially for ReporterUA 14 Feb 2013 - 10:33

Today the whole world celebrates Valentine's Day. Did you know that February 14 is celebrated not only Valentine's Day, but also some other rather curious holidays?

So, February 14 is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. Quite an unusual day, it should be noted, with its own interesting history. They say that Valentine's Day has been on the calendar of celebrations for more than 16 centuries, but the holidays of love existed in earlier times - even in pagan culture. The most striking example is Rome, where in mid-February the festival of eroticism of Lupercalia was held in honor of the goddess of "feverish" love Juno Februata and the god Faun, the patron saint of herds.

But, as already indicated, February 14 should not be identified only with Valentine's Day. Let's give an example.

On this day, you can safely congratulate all the programmers you know, because February 14 is also considered an unofficial, but widely celebrated in the field of this specialty, Computer Engineer's Day. The fact is that it was on this day, 1946, that the first, actually working electronic computer ENIAC I was presented to the whole world. As you know, before that there were many attempts to design a computer, but these were only prototypes and not entirely successful experiments. ENIAC, on the other hand, became the first electronic computing machine working on practical problems. By the way, it was from him that modern computers inherited the binary number system.

It is quite unusual to celebrate February 14 in Japan, where every year a favorite holiday is celebrated on this day - Hadaka Matsuri, in other words - Day of Naked Men.

Japanese men wear only loincloths and chase the same completely naked man all day. At the same time, everyone tries to touch each other, because, according to the main tradition of the holiday, this touch saves a person from all his misfortunes. Well, let's hope that this is so, otherwise pneumonia cannot be avoided.

Absolutely ridiculous, and perhaps even absurd, may appear before us on February 14 in Germany. On this day, people with mental disabilities are saluted there. According to the Germans, Valentine is the patron saint of all mentally ill people. Residents of Germany decorate hospitals with scarlet ribbons and small images of angels, and special services are held in chapels with prayers for the repose of Valentine's soul and for the health of patients with mental illness. Although, it should be noted, some find something symbolic in such a coincidence of completely different holidays. Basically, skeptics and simply those who hate Valentine's Day think so.

Another, no less interesting holiday, celebrated by Bulgarians on February 14, is the festival of winegrowers. It is held in honor of the Christian priest Tryphon, who was executed in 250 at Nicaea. Here, by the way, a parallel can be drawn with the case of Valentin, who had the same fate. According to the legend, on the day of Tryphon's execution, insects attacked all the vineyards of the country, and the growers urged him to protect their harvest. They call it slaughtered because, according to tradition, the vines were cut on that day in order to get a large harvest in the fall. In modern times, St. Tryphon's Day is celebrated not only by winegrowers, but also by gardeners, gardeners and even owners of wine taverns.

Religious holidays did not pass by this day either. For example, on February 14, Hindus praise Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and education, and Catholics glorify the enlighteners of the Slavs, the patrons of Europe, the creators of the Slavic alphabet - Saints Cyril and Methodius. Also this year, the date of one of the largest events in Switzerland, the Berne Carnival, fell on February 14th. It takes place every year and attracts a large number of tourists to the capital of Switzerland. In recent years, this carnival has become much more popular, which is attended by about 50 thousand people. This figure gave the third place in the ranking of the most massive carnivals in the country.

As you can see, February 14 boasts a variety of holidays. The choice is only yours, with what exactly to congratulate loved ones, parents, friends and just people who are important. The main thing is not to be mistaken with this decision.

February 14 ... Everyone knows what date it is and what holiday is celebrated on this day by people all over the world. But there are several interesting points that are worth mentioning separately. For example, did you know that February 14 is Mental Ill's Day in Germany?

Truth or lie?

By the way, many people are aware of this interesting fact. Others do not believe that February 14 is the Day of the Mental Ill in Germany. Well, it's worth looking into this issue.

In fact, it is not surprising that the Germans christened February 14 as the Day of the Mental Ill. In Germany, everyone clearly understands that love is the most real clouding of the mind. And, by the way, everyone who has ever been struck by Cupid's arrow knows this. However, the Germans are renowned for their meticulousness, which is why February 14 is the Day of the Mental Ill in Germany. By the way, this is not just a date. On this day, the Germans decorate psychiatric hospitals with a special attribute - ribbons, balloons and posters. And in churches on this occasion, special services are held. So the information that the Day of the Mentally Ill on February 14 is celebrated in Germany is actually true.

Common holiday

But in fact, one more nuance should be highlighted. Valentine's Day is celebrated everywhere - and Germany is no exception. Day of the mentally ill is an additional reason to celebrate February 14th. The windows of German shops are filled to overflowing with various cute trinkets and attractive souvenirs the day before. The Germans are happy to congratulate by presenting flowers, cards, soft toys, pendants and bracelets. In general, everything that will bring joy to a person.

Many German brands, by the way, make pretty solid discounts in honor of February 14th. So this is a good time for good shopping. It should be noted that pedantic Germans, accustomed to saving their time, shop online. Online stores in Germany also meet their customers halfway, make pleasant discounts and organize a variety of promotions.

Returning to the fact that in Germany the Day of the Mentally Ill is February 14, it is worth noting a few more interesting nuances. Saint Valentine is considered by the Germans to be the patron saint of people suffering from mental disorders. It should also be said that the Day of the Mentally Ill (February 14) is also the day of flower shops. Why? Everything is logical - after all, it is on this day that flowers are snapped up, as if hot cakes. On no other day of the year such excitement and demand for roses is not observed. By the way, in this wonderful country the most popular gift is a large bouquet of scarlet roses.

And on the Day in Germany, they launch a special express train. What is its peculiarity? And the fact is that only single people who want to get to know someone buy tickets for this train. A very interesting idea. By the way, this express train is popular. Few Germans want to spend a wonderful day alone. Therefore, they buy a ticket, get on the train and choose their interlocutor. After the express arrives at the terminal station, the resulting couple (or company) will be invited to a bar or restaurant. There they can get to know each other in a more romantic atmosphere. A few days later, the participants are sent the contact details of the person they liked.

German traditions

The people of Germany are very cheerful and friendly people who love to have fun. And February 14 is one of those holidays that they celebrate on a grand scale. Germans are happy to go to bars, walk around the city, bake the traditional for this holiday with icing, spend time with their loved ones (even if there is no loved one - there is nothing unusual about spending this day with friends or family), buy or on their own make gifts. By the way, if a tourist is in Germany at this time, he can see very unusual souvenirs on sale dedicated specifically to Valentine's Day, for example, figurines in the form of couples in unambiguous poses.

The Germans celebrate February 14 in a very unusual way. Many of them attend services on this day and help mentally ill people.

A bit of history

Valentine's Day is named for two of the many early Christian martyrs named Valentine. Some dioceses of the Catholic Church celebrate the memory of St. Valentine on this day. The history of Valentine's Day dates back to the Lupercalia of Ancient Rome. Lupercalia is a festival of eroticism in honor of the goddess of "feverish" love Juno Februata and the god Faun (Luperk is one of his nicknames), the patron saint of herds, which was celebrated annually on February 14. In ancient times, infant mortality was very high, In 276 BC. NS. Rome nearly died out as a result of the "epidemic" of stillbirths and miscarriages. The oracle announced that in order to increase the birth rate, a rite of corporal punishment (flogging) of women with the help of sacrificial skin is necessary. After the feast, young people took whips made from the skins of sacrificial animals and went out into the city to whip women. These festivities became so popular that even when many other pagan holidays were canceled with the advent of Christianity, this one still existed for a long time.

In 494 A.D. NS. Pope Gelasius I tried to ban Lupercalia. The holiday, which replaced the Lupercalia, was appointed a heavenly patron - Saint Valentine, of whom in 269 AD. NS. the Roman emperor Claudius II ordered to be killed for his preaching work among the youth. He was executed on 14 February. He was later canonized by the church.

Valentines - love messages - are also directly related to Saint Valentine: according to legend, the cruel Roman emperor Claudius II decided that a single man - without a family, wife and obligations, fights better for his homeland, and forbade men to marry, and women and girls - to go out marry your beloved men. And Saint Valentine sympathized with the unfortunate lovers and secretly sanctified the marriages of loving men and women. This soon became known, and Valentine was thrown into prison, where he met the warden's beautiful daughter, Julia. Before his death, the enamored priest wrote his beloved girl a declaration of love - a valentine.

In the world

For Germans, February 14 is, first of all, the Day of All Mad Men, because Saint Valentine is the patron saint of the mentally ill. On this day, special services are held in German chapels with prayers for the repose of Valentine's soul and for the health of patients with mental disabilities. On this day, orderlies and doctors decorate hospitals with scarlet ribbons and small images of angels.

In Japan, this holiday became widespread in the post-war period, when European trends began to influence the culture of life. The main gift is chocolate, but it is not the stronger sex who makes such gifts, but vice versa.

In the United States, Valentine's Day began to be celebrated later than in Europe - since 1777. In the 50s of the XX century, sweets began to be packed in heart-shaped cardboard boxes. Also, a week before the holiday, American schoolchildren cut out hearts from papier-mâché, paint and make various inscriptions. These hearts are given to lonely, unhappy and sick people, according to qwester.ru.

In Israel, this holiday does not take on such a scale as in Catholic countries, but in recent years, parties and romantic evenings have been held in Israeli restaurants, especially in Tel Aviv, on Valentine's Day. On Valentine's Day, red is recommended for ladies, and men should not forget to give scarlet flowers and chocolates to their girlfriends. Interestingly, Israel and the Palestinian Authority supply more red flowers to Europe for Valentine's Day than on March 8.

On this day, Ukraine celebrates the Day of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops of the Armed Forces of the country.

In Bulgaria and Serbia, February 14 is the holiday of St. Tryphon winegrowers, whose patron saint he is. Numerous rituals are associated with this holiday in both countries. The Serbs believe that winter ends on this day.

And in Islamic countries this holiday is not celebrated at all - Islam perceives it extremely negatively.

In Russia, the holiday is of a secular nature, the attitude of the Catholic and Orthodox churches to this holiday is ambiguous. The religious community believes that the tradition of celebrating Valentine's Day is based on the Roman pagan holiday “Lupercalia”. Currently, the Catholic Church celebrates on this day the memory of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the enlighteners of the Slavs.

February 14 is also an unofficial holiday for all computer scientists. On this day, back in 1946, the scientific world for the first time saw a really working computer capable of performing practical tasks - ENIAC (ENIAC I: Electrical Numerical Integrator And Calculator - Electric numerical integrator and calculator), the website estpovod.ru writes. The first electronic digital computer was fundamentally different from what we have now - it weighed about 30 tons and occupied an entire room. ENIAC successfully operated until October 2, 1955, when it was turned off and disassembled.

And February 4 is also the International Book-Making Day.

About future

Scientists have designated a new date for the end of the world - February 14, 2013. No one has ever seen a celestial body, but scientists say that it flew just at the end of 2012. And the end of the world will come as a result of the polarity reversal. Nibiru will begin to move away from the Earth in its orbit only after July 1, 2014, the site 2012over.ru reports with reference to monavista.ru.

Are you used to the fact that in the middle of the third winter month it is customary to give colorful cards in the shape of hearts? Do you already cherish a romantic surprise for your loved one? Which of the 14 February holidays are you preparing for?

Do you think this is a strange question? But no!

Holiday Stories February 14

This day is quite eventful. In the United States, February 14 is National Condom Day. However, the one and the other are quite interconnected.

In Germany, the date is marked on the calendar as the Day of Mentally Ill People, which also somewhat echoes the love theme.

Popular

At the same time, in 1946, the first PC was launched for the first time, so computer scientists consider it a professional holiday.

• YouTube video hosting was launched in 2005;
• the ancient Greek festival of winegrowers was celebrated - Trifon Zarezan;
• the holiday of the awakening of the vital forces of the earth after winter among the pagans - Disting;
• Cyril and Methodius Day in the Catholic Church;
• the Gregorian calendar was introduced in Russia, we still live according to it;
• Anna Herman was born and James Cook died;
• Ukrainian Day of Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops;
• Epilepsy Day in Poland;
• Oregon and Arizona State Day in the United States;
• Birthday of the French language.

Historically, Valentine's Day has been the most widespread.

History of the holiday Valentine's Day February 14

Valentine was a priest and field doctor who lived in the Roman town of Terni in the 3rd century. In those days, Rome was ruled by the emperor Claudius, who became famous for the insane law prohibiting marriage. There were bloody wars, and the soldiers, not burdened with family ties, according to Claudius, were more selfless in battle.

The priest Valentine came to the aid of the unfortunate lovers. He secretly performed wedding ceremonies and united loving hearts before God. He also treated warriors and legionnaires, and in between he helped them and secretly delivered letters to their wives and girls. The emperor found out about this, and Valentine went to prison, and later was sentenced to death. Subsequently, the Catholic Church recognized him as a saint.

Legend has it that in captivity the priest found his own happiness, which, however, turned out to be short-lived. His only beloved was the jailer's blind daughter. Before the execution, Valentine wrote her a letter. Having received it, she received her sight to read.

Is it true? One way or another, since that time, the tradition has gone to give each other touching valentine cards.

Today, many deny this tradition, saying that Valentine's Day is not our holiday, because it is celebrated by Catholics. And in Saudi Arabia, those who celebrate it are generally fined! In fact, any reason to confess your love to loved ones, give each other cute souvenirs and accept a bouquet of flowers from a fan is wonderful.

Well, if this holiday is not to your liking, then you and your loved one may well celebrate Computer Day and chop into tanks. He'll love it for sure!

In contact with

classmates

Germany celebrates the Day of Mentally Ill People on February 14, it is symbolic that it is in that state where such patients were most tortured and exterminated, now they are given the most honor.

Not all states honor 14 February as Valentine's Day. For example, in America it is also Condom Day, in Japan it is Naked Men Day, and in Germany it is the day of mentally ill people. Moreover, it is noteworthy that the inhabitants of Germany consider St. Valentine the patron saint not so much of lovers as of mentally unhealthy people. It is on this day in German chapels that priests conduct a memorial service for the soul of St. Valentine and for the health of mentally ill people. On February 14, people decorate all specialized hospitals with figurines of angels and scarlet ribbons.

Many people see something symbolic in the fact that both Valentine's Day and the Day of the mentally ill - February 14 - are celebrated on the same date. Usually skeptics pay attention to this, as well as people who cannot stand such holidays. It is worth noting that Valentine's Day itself sometimes provokes the onset or exacerbation of various mental disorders. This happens due to an increase in the feeling of loneliness in people who do not have friends, relatives and loved ones. Since such a social state usually occurs in people with mental disorders, there is nothing strange about the occurrence of a large number of exacerbations on that day.

And what about the attitude of society towards mentally unhealthy people? Yes, now Germany celebrates the Day of Mentally Ill People, but a couple of decades ago, the government of this state issued cruel decrees, according to which there were only 2 ways for patients in psychiatric hospitals - either physical destruction, or non-core clinics where they were used to carry out various anatomical and pharmacological research. Today, as if paying for the cruelty of its predecessors, the current government of Germany did not go along with the modern European trends of total economy in psychiatric hospitals, served under the guise of caring for patients, like they are better treated among relatives. Because of this, for example, in Italy all specialized hospitals were closed without exception, and in England - 50 percent. Now the local law enforcement and social services will have huge problems - patients were hospitalized during periods of exacerbation simply nowhere. But the German Ministry of Health decided not to save on patients and allocated the required number of beds. And besides, there is spent as much as 20 percent of the entire budget of the medical ministry on the treatment and care of mentally ill people. To compare, in Ukraine this indicator fluctuates from 2 to 7 percent depending on the region.