Let's make a poster!
What your poster should include:
1) Title: what country are you researching?
2) Origins: what are the origins of Valentine's Day celebrations (or the equivalent) in your country?
3) Celebration: how does your country celebrate Valentine's Day?
4) Map: where in the world is your country?
5) Interesting Fact: are there any special symbols of Valentine's Day used in your country? Do people go anywhere special or eat something in particular?
6) Pictures!
Here is my example report:
Valentine's Day in Wales
The Welsh celebrate Valentine’s Day on January, 25th.
They call it Dydd Santes Dwynwen, or “day of saint Dwynwen.” Dwywen is the
Welsh saint of love.
Dwynwen |
Origins: There
are lots of versions of the origins of Dydd Santes Dwynwen, but the general
gist goes that in the fifth century, Dywnwen fell in love with Maelon
Dafodrill. Maelon returned her love, but for some reason, they could not be
together. In some versions her father forbade the marriage, in others her father
had promised her to another. Dwynwen, distraught by her love for Maelon, prays
to fall out of love with him.
Dwynwen was visited by an angel, who appeared
carrying a sweet potion designed to erase all memory of Maelon and turn him
into a block of ice. God then gave three wished to Dwynwen. First she wished
that Maelon would be thawed, second that God meet the hopes and dreams of true
lovers, and third, that she should never marry. All three were fulfilled, and
as a mark of her thanks, Dwynwen devoted herself to God’s service for the rest
of her life.
She became a nun and built a church, which became known as
Llanddwyn, which means “Church of Dwynwen.”
Celebration: The
popularity of this day has increased in recent years, particularly after 2003
when the Bwrdd Yr Iaith (Welsh Language Board) teamed up with a UK grocery store
to give away free cards. One card entitled the finder to a prize. The board
also suggested ways to celebrate, including love-themed gigs, singles nights,
preparing romantic meals, and composing a love poem to be read at a local pub.
The Welsh often celebrate with concerts and parties, and exchange Dudd Santes
Dwynwen greetings cards.
Interesting Fact: Llanddwyn island contains Dwynwen’s well, where, supposedly, a sacred fish swims whose movements predict the future fortunes and relationships of various couples. Another tradition claims that if the water boils while visitors are present, then love and good luck will surely follow.