In Naples, red horns — an iconic Neapolitan symbol of prosperity, love and fortune -- are preferred over flowers and chocolates.
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Much of Europe is celebrating love this Valentine's Day with a variety of lively and diverse traditions.
In the Italian city of Naples, the romantic at heart prefers to send their loved ones red horns instead of the more predictable flowers and chocolates. These vibrant pendants, known as "cornicelli," are deeply rooted in local culture and are believed to bring prosperity, love, and good fortune to the receiver.
The origins of the cornicello trace back to ancient Greek and Roman mythology. Its shape and vibrant colour symbolise fertility and protection, referencing Priapus, the god of male fertility.
Chocolate and cheese
For some, romance may seem cheesy, especially in northern France, where a heart-shaped fromage is the perfect way to say "Je t’aime."
The town of Neufchâtel-en-Bray in Normandy is famous for one particularly special delicacy — a soft cheese shaped like a heart. Dating back over a thousand years, the Neufchâtel heart-shaped cheese has become a world-famous symbol of love and craftsmanship.
“Legend has it that, on the Feast of St Valentine, the young dairy maidens of the Pays de Bray would offer these heart-shaped cheeses on Valentine’s Day to those who had stolen their hearts,” explains François Olivier, a local cheesemonger in Rouen.
The Belgians, on the other hand, prefer to stick to the more traditional gift of chocolate, a sweet treat for which they are world-renowned.
However, with cocoa bean prices hitting record highs on the commodities market, the beloved gift of chocolate has become a more costly gesture than ever before. What was once a sweet, affordable token of affection is now a more significant financial commitment, reflecting the rising costs of this indulgent treat.
"Harvests have been less good than usual. The second is that some of the fields processed in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana are a little older and therefore produce less than usual. Thirdly, there is a lot of speculation. The result is extremely high cocoa prices," Philippe de Selliers, Leonidas CEO and President of Choprabisco, said.
But many chocolatiers believe the sugary treat is sacred to Belgians willing to pay any price for it.
"For me, chocolate remains a pleasure for Belgian consumers, because it's part of their culture, part of what they like. When things are going bad, we say to ourselves 'I'm going to get myself a bar of chocolate, a little box of chocolate," said Christophe Museur, the head of chocolate production and creations at Wittamer in Brussels.
It's "Va-lion-tines" Day in The Netherlands
In the Netherlands, even the animals are celebrating. FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in the Nijeberkoop is celebrating Valentine's Day with a heart-warming twist, introducing two lions under their care, Manuschka and Diego, as a new couple.
For this special "va-lion-tines" event, the sanctuary’s team decorated their enclosures with heart-shaped cardboard ornaments, adding a playful touch.
"It's a lovely story that we can celebrate as a team on Valentine's Day, but there's a bigger purpose," explained Juno van Zon, Head of Animal and Facility Management at the sanctuary. "We aim to socialise them, with hopes for future integration."
Rome worships Venus, the goddess of love
Meanwhile, Rome's renowned Galleria Borghese is offering a unique experience that takes visitors on a captivating exploration of love in its many forms, all through the lens of the goddess Venus.
The special event, “The Goddess of Love: A Thousand Faces of Venus,” invites art enthusiasts to delve into the evolution of Venus, the goddess of beauty, sensuality, and desire, as portrayed throughout history.
The exhibition showcases iconic works, including Antonio Canova’s celebrated statue of Pauline Borghese, which depicts Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister as a triumphant Venus, as well as the "Cabinet of Venuses" — a room filled with artworks that centre around the goddess and tales from her myth.
“On the occasion of the days dedicated to the feast of Saint Valentine’s Day, the Galleria (Borghese) has organised these insights on Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, starting from the two rooms where she is the protagonist," explained Emanuela Mangia, a tour guide at the gallery.
"There is the room dedicated to Venus Victrix (Latin for “Venus victorious”) where we see Antonio Canova’s sculpture of Pauline Bonaparte Borghese in the guise of not just any other Venus but of a victorious Venus.”