Istanbul Gelisim University School of Foreign Languages: Monthly Bulletin (February 2024)

Where did it come from? Itis believed that Valentine’s day goes back to an ancient Roman Festival called Lupercalia. It was a festival where animals were sacrificed and young women were slaped with animals’ skin and blood for the sake offertility. In thefifth century, in order to make this festival less Pagan, more Christian, Pope Gelasius declared February 14th as Saint Valentine’s day.