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Valentine's Day
The Island
|February 13, 2026
Valentine's Day arrives each year with a familiar mix of roses, chocolate boxes, candlelit dinners and carefully chosen words.
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Celebrated on February 14, it has become a global occasion devoted to love and affection, though its meaning has expanded far beyond the traditional image of romantic couples. For some, it is a day of grand gestures; for others, it is a quiet reminder of the importance of connection in everyday life.
The origins of Valentine's Day are often traced back to ancient Rome and the legends surrounding Saint Valentine, a figure associated with compassion and devotion. Over centuries, the day evolved into a celebration of courtly love in medieval Europe, and later into the commercial and cultural event recognised across much of the world today. Its history is layered, part religious legend, part folklore, and part modern reinvention, which perhaps explains why it continues to hold such a varied appeal.
This story is from the February 13, 2026 edition of The Island.
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