Entertainment

Valentine’s Day: A Global Tradition of Love

Published

1 month ago

February 14, 2025

Valentine’s Day, celebrated annually on February 14th, is a day dedicated to expressing love and affection. Its origins are a blend of ancient traditions, religious legends, and literary influences that have evolved over centuries into the holiday we know today.

The Festival of Lupercalia

One theory traces Valentine’s Day back to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. This pagan celebration was dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome.

Lupercalia involved rituals believed to promote fertility and purification, marking the onset of spring. As Christianity spread, it’s believed that the church sought to replace pagan festivals with Christian observances, leading to the establishment of St. Valentine’s feast day.

The Legend of Saint Valentine

Giving the exact identity of Saint Valentine is impossible and it is a mystery. Multiple martyrs that are named Valentine are recognized by the Catholic Church.

A popular legend suggests that Valentine was a priest in 3rd century Rome who defied Emperor Claudius II’s decree prohibiting soldiers from marrying, believing that single men made better soldiers.

This occasion continued to perform secret marriages and was eventually executed for his defiance.

Another tale tells of Valentine restoring sight to his jailer’s blind daughter and writing her a farewell note signed “Your Valentine” before his execution, possibly inspiring the tradition of sending love messages.

Association with Romantic Love

Connection between Valentine’s Day and romantic love is often attributed to Geoffrey Chaucer, a 14th-century English poet. “Parliament of Fowls,” Chaucer wrote about birds choosing their mates on “seynt Valentynes day,” linking the day to love and mating.

However, this literary association coincided with the belief that mid-February was the beginning of birds’ mating season, further explainingh the day’s romantic beliefs.

Evolution of Traditions

By the 18th century, Valentine’s Day had become an occasion for expressing love through the exchange of handwritten notes and tokens.

Therefore, Industrial Revolution introduced mass-produced greeting cards, making it easier for people to share their sentiments. Symbols such as hearts, doves, and Cupid became associated with the holiday.

Also, Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide with various customs, including giving flowers, chocolates, and cards, as well as sharing romantic dinners.

Global Celebrations

Valentine’s Day traditions vary across cultures. In Japan, women give chocolates to men on February 14th, with men reciprocating a month later on “White Day.” Wales, couples exchange intricately carved wooden “love spoons” on January 25th, known as Saint Dwynwen’s Day.

In the Philippines, mass weddings are a common Valentine’s Day event, with many couples tying the knot simultaneously.

Today is a universal occasion to celebrate love in its many forms, reflecting both ancient traditions and modern customs. Share love, gifts and pleasantries today. Happy Valentine’s Day

Entertainment

Ex-BBNaija Star DeeOne Accuses VeryDarkMan of Manipulation and Deception

Published

1 hour ago

March 18, 2025

Ese Ohwofa

Ex Big Brother Naija star, DeeOne takes to his social media account to lament on the loss of his Tik tok account.

The reality star then claims that the loss was planned out by activist, VeryDarkMan. DeeOne accuses VeryDarkMan of being manipulative and misleading the government.

The reality star also claimed that VDM has connections in Nigeria and abroad and uses it to manipulate the public.

After his allegations, DeeOne addresses the latest incident with the NYSC corp member. He shares that there was no need to speak on it as the corp member has voiced out her concerns. The reality star states that the choice is now left to the authorities.

Entertainment

Actress Sanyaolu Fumilayo Sparks Debate: “Good Men Can Only Be Found on the Mainland”

Published

2 hours ago

March 18, 2025

Ese Ohwofa

Nigerian Actress Sanyaolu Fumilayo shares insights on finding good men in Lagos.

The actress claims that the only place to find good men is on the mainland of Lagos state. She advised women that men on the mainland are good men.

She then questions the loyalty of the men who live on the island aspect of Lagos. Sharing that most of them cheat on their partner.

“The only place to get a good man in Lagos is on the mainland but they are BROKE. But you see the men on the island, they are F*CKING FAKE NIGGAS who don’t mind Sleeping with you, your friends and your sisters f*CK you all. You’ll can do better respectfully”.

Entertainment

Full Highlights from the 2025 iHeartRadio Awards Show

Published

4 hours ago

March 18, 2025

Gift Ogieva

Photo source: Google

The 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards took place on March 17 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, celebrating the most-played artists and songs across iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app throughout the past year. The evening was marked by standout performances, heartfelt speeches, and memorable moments that highlighted the diversity and talent within the music industry.

Opening Act: Billie Eilish and Finneas

The ceremony commenced with a captivating performance by sibling duo Billie Eilish and Finneas. Their synergy set an energetic tone for the night, engaging the audience from the outset.

Nelly’s Abrupt Speech Cut

In an unexpected moment, Nelly’s acceptance speech was interrupted by a sudden commercial break. The abrupt cut left both the artist and viewers surprised, causing conversations about live broadcast protocols.

Doechii’s Tribute to Lady Gaga

Rising artist Doechii took a moment to honor Lady Gaga, acknowledging her as a future industry innovator. This gesture represented the mutual respect and admiration among artists across different stages of their careers.

Gracie Abrams’ Breakthrough Award

Gracie Abrams was presented with the Breakthrough Award by her close friend Billie Eilish. The moment was a testament to their shared journey in the music industry and the bonds formed through artistic endeavors.

Mariah Carey’s Icon Award and Performance

Mariah Carey was honored with the Icon Award, celebrating her enduring impact on the music industry. She delivered a performance that reminded everyone of her vocal prowess and stage presence. In her acceptance speech, Carey paid tribute to her late mother, Patricia Carey, acknowledging her for imparting the gift of music.

Lady Gaga’s Innovator Award

Lady Gaga received the Innovator Award, recognizing her significant contributions to music and culture. In her speech, she embraced the dual feelings of longevity and new beginnings in her career, highlighting the importance of authenticity and self-made innovation. She dedicated the award to her grandmothers and urged artists to remain true to themselves and their uniqueness.

Taylor Swift’s Virtual Appearance

Taylor Swift, who was honored with the Tour of the Century award for her record-breaking Eras Tour, made a virtual appearance during the ceremony. Her background setup during the virtual acceptance sparked speculation and discussions among fans, showcasing her continued ability to engage and intrigue her audience.

Bad Bunny’s Energetic Performance

Bad Bunny delivered an electrifying performance of his song “EoO” from his latest album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.” Dressed in an oversized white coat, he interacted dynamically with the audience, including a memorable trust fall and crowd-surfing over dancers, further cementing his reputation as a dynamic performer.

Benson Boone’s Song of the Year

Benson Boone’s genuine surprise and excitement upon winning Song of the Year for “Beautiful Things” became an instant meme, endearing him to fans worldwide and highlighting the authenticity that resonates with audiences.

GloRilla’s Recognition

GloRilla was honored as the hip-hop artist of the year, acknowledging her contributions and impact within the genre over the past year.

Also, this year’s iHeartRadio Music Awards also paid tribute to the resiliency and rebuilding of Los Angeles following the devastating wildfires affecting the entire community. The event drove donations to FireAidLA.org, with contributions distributed under the advisement of the Annenberg Foundation for short-term relief efforts and long-term initiatives to prevent future fire disasters.