The history of Valentine’s Day and upcoming events in Geneseo

As we get closer and closer to the 14th, thoughts of chocolates, hearts, roses, and loved ones begin to fill our minds. Valentine’s Day is known as many things: a Hallmark Holiday, a day to celebrate being single with friends for “Palentine’s Day,” but mainly, Valentine’s Day is a holiday to celebrate a loved one. 

The origin of Valentine’s Day, also known as St. Valentine’s Day, is shrouded in mystery. According to an article by History, “We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine’s Day…contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.” But who is St. Valentine, and why do we celebrate him? 

There are actually three different saints recognized by the Catholic Church with the name of “Valentine” or “Valentinus,” all of whom were martyred. One legend is that “Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided … [to] outlaw[ed] marriage for young men…Valentine… defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.” 

There are also pagan roots in the history of Valentine’s Day—the pagan holiday Lupercalia is on Feb. 15, wherein “priests would sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification… Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed the touch of the hides because it was believed to make them more fertile in the coming year.” The correlation of the two holidays and themes of fertility in the holiday Lupercalia make it a possibility that inspiration for the modern-day Valentine’s Day came from pagan traditions. 

Though we no longer sacrifice goats or dogs, or mourn the martyred St. Valentine, there are many activities on and around SUNY Geneseo for students to do this coming Tuesday with friends and significant others.  

Starting with campus-sponsored events, there are two go-to functions for Valentine’s Day. The first is on Feb. 14 hosted by Campus Auxiliary Services (CAS) —students are encouraged to come to Red Jacket Dining Hall from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for a cookie decorating event, and to bring friends and loved ones alike. The second event is hosted by the French Club on Feb. 13—French Club is putting together a Valentine making event, snacks and materials provided, at 7 p.m. in Welles 210.

Geneseo also has a number of off-campus places to visit with a date or friend. Students should, for example, check out a local business like the Euro Café on 82 Main St. For those who do not have the pleasure of knowing, the Euro Café serves delicious Eastern European cuisine, and prides itself on “real ethnic food based on traditional recipes.” Right now, the café is decked out with tons of Valentine’s Day decorations, making it the perfect spot for a romantic dinner. Senior English major Frances Sharples noted: “As someone who had never been to the Euro Café before, I was completely delighted by the ambience and food alike! The Valentine’s Day decorations made the night on the town wonderfully romantic, and I would highly recommend that anyone looking to spend some quality time with a loved one this season should pay Euro Cafe a visit.”

Another great spot on off campus for a cute coffee date is Sweet Arts Bakery, located on 95 Main St. Sweet Arts has a number of Valentine’s Day specials such as heart-shaped cakes, Valentine’s cake pops, and chocolate covered strawberries. The bakery is also creating Valentine’s Day Gift Bags ranging from $25 to $45 with assortments of love themed treats. Besides their holiday specials, Sweet Arts Bakery is also a great place to go with a date to grab one of their mouth-watering cinnamon rolls or perfectly spiced chai lattes. 

Whether you are celebrating with a loved one or your friends, SUNY Geneseo has lots of options for date nights and get-togethers this Valentine’s Day.

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