Happy Saint Valentine's Day

Or do they?

Today is the feast day of the patron saint of beekeepers, birds that mate for life and love.

This is interesting:

Iran may reject Western influences, but Valentine's Day has become a growing phenomenon thanks to the romantically minded youth of the Islamic state's affluent classes.

Although the ruling clerics and hardline politicians have been waging a campaign against what they call "decadent" cultural imports, the Christian day dedicated to amorous displays has so far survived.

Part of the reason could be the sheer number of young adults in the country: 60 percent of the 75 million-strong population is under 30, and one Iranian in three is aged 15 to 30.

With many of them unmarried, and with bars, clubs and mixed parties all banned under the country's strict laws, Valentine's Day is increasingly seen as a tolerated courting opportunity -- one whose commercial side is much appreciated by Iranian retailers.

Several shopkeepers in Tehran told AFP that demand for rose bouquets, sentimental cards with the English word "love", chocolate, perfume and even teddy bears was strong, adding to a growing trend of recent years.

And nothing says "love" like a badly made cake.



It is also the feast day of Saints Cyril and Methodius who developed Cyrillic.

Have you always wanted to know how to say "love" in Russian? Sure you have. Well, you're in luck.

Aaahhh.... the poetry...