Saint Valentine was a third-century priest. He is portrayed healing epilepsy in this illustration by Dr. František Ehrmann, c.1899.
By Amanda Pompilii
On Saturday, February 14, thousands of Canadians will be celebrating Valentine’s Day. But how did this holiday come to be? The two common legends around the day’s origins remain up for debate, with both focusing on the third-century priest, Saint Valentine.
In one story, the tradition of sending valentines to loved ones began with Saint Valentine signing a letter to his jailer’s daughter with “Your Valentine.” Another legend suggests that the day’s association with love is tied to Saint Valentine’s efforts to marry soldiers in secret, despite the emperor’s ban on soldier marriage.
Celebrations of Valentine’s Day are said to have begun in the 1500s and became popular in the 1700s with the advent of commercially printed cards.
If you’re looking to do something special on February 14, here are a few activities that will be going on around our community:
For those looking to beat the cold while enjoying a charming show, Scarborough Village Theatre, located at 3600 Kingston Road, will be performing “She Loves Me” throughout the month and at 8 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. Based on a play by Miklós László, “She Loves Me” is a romantic comedy musical about rival coworkers who fall in love. You can book your seats online at theatrescarborough.godaddysites.com
If you are in the mood for great conversations, music and dancing, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 258, located at 305 Morrish Road, will be hosting a Valentine’s Day Dance from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The dance will feature the live band, Rollercoaster. Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for non-members. They are available for purchase at the bar.
The Toronto Zoo will be celebrating love for our magical and wild feline friends from Saturday, February 14, to Family Day on Monday, February 16. Families can come visit Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse at the Special Events Centre in the Discovery Zone from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m on all three days. Meet-and-greets are free with admission. There will also be special Valentine’s giveaways on Saturday, as well as Guardians of the Wild talks featuring the zoo’s resident Amur Tiger, Mazy, at 1 p.m. all weekend.
For those who enjoy the idea of a romantic nighttime ice skate without the winter chill, Heron Park Community Recreation Centre offers a drop-in leisure skate at their indoor rink every Saturday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., including February 14.
In addition to these local activities, Valentine’s Day is the perfect holiday for a cozy night in with yourself, your significant other, or your friends and family. Enjoy a movie or board game marathon, a favourite homemade or takeout dinner, or show your love with a craft that brings out everybody’s creativity (i.e., DIY paint kits). Have a safe and fun Valentine’s Day!