Valentine's day / 1ère partie (classe 3ème avancée)
Artwork by Corentin Huve
Dear reader,
The English advanced class of troisième is proud to present to you Love Today, a magazine exclusively about Valentine’s Day.
Inside you’ll find articles about love, fashion, football, funny facts, recipes and various opinions of teachers about 'V-Day', but don’t forget the games, short stories and of course some handy advice on how to spend the day with your Valentine.
Or… perhaps you don’t have anyone to celebrate it with? Well, we also thought about that, so no worries. And last but not least, for those who want their status to change (from single to couple), we kindly agreed to help you out a bit: tips, do’s, don’ts… you’ll find them easily.
Enjoy!
Joana
INDEX
| The Origin of Valentine’s Day |
| Homemade Valentine’s Day gift |
| What Did They Say? |
| What Did You Say? |
| Lovers’ Walks |
Cartoon by Lucie Marraffa
Valentine's Day started in the time of the Roman Empire. Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II - Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular military campaigns. Claudius the Cruel, as he was known at the time, was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He believed that the reason was that roman men did not want to leave their loves or families. As a result, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome.
This was when a Christian priest named Valentine came to defend love in the empire. Valentine began to secretly marry couples despite the emperors orders. When Emperor Claudius was informed of these ceremonies Valentine was sent to prison where he remained until his death on February 14 in the year 270.
It wasn't until a few hundred years later when Valentine's Day began to develop as we know it. At the time Christianity was beginning to take control of Europe.
As part of this effort the Church sought to do away with pagan holidays. Valentine's Day came to replace a mid-February fertility festival called Lupercalia. In honor of his sacrifice for love Valentine was made a saint and Lupercalia renamed in his honor.
Until today the tradition of honoring Valentine continues. The themes of love and fertility taken from the ancient meanings of the holiday have endured and evolved with our contemporary adaptations of its meanings.
HOMEMADE VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT
"The only gift is a portion of thyself"
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Do you think that Valentine’s Day has become too commercial?
If so, why not use our Love Coupon to give your Valentine the gift of time, affection, romance, or just a much needed break, when he/she needs it most.
1. Print as many coupons as you want to give.
2. Cut the coupons out. Write a different "gift" on each coupon. You should tailor these coupons to the individual that you are giving them to.
Some example gifts are:
· One candlelight dinner for two.
· Fresh flowers delivered to home or office.
· One night in front of a video and popcorn.
· Sleep in as long as you want.
· A night out on the town to a place of your choice.
· One full day without me on the computer.
WHAT DID THEY SAY ?
by Charlotte Veldkamp and Camille Delfeld
We asked some teachers about what they thought of Valentine’s day. Can you guess who said what?
1. “I think that Valentine’s day is a marketing and a commercial scam set up by florists, chocolate makers and greeting card companies. The three words that come to my mind when I think about Valentine’s day are: ‘Mush’,’ Disgust’ and ‘Artichokes’. What I hate the most about Valentine’s day is that this is a commercial day and everyone makes a big deal out of it.
What I love the most about Valentine’s day is when the day finishes. I’d like to receive a Valentine’s day card and preferably from someone anonymous. My dream dates are Heather Graham and Mrs. Marle. The worst date I ever had was a blind date and it was a disaster. I had my first kiss when I was 8 or 9 years old. I first fell in love at 8 years old and I do believe in love at first sight.” 
So who do you think it is?
o Mr. Cassetta
o Mr. Cauchois
o Mr. Glackin
o Mr. Robert
2. “I think that Valentine’s Day is a commercial day and nothing else. The three words that come to my mind when I think about Valentine’s Day are: ‘Chocolate’, ‘Romantic restaurant’ and ‘Flowers’. What I hate the most about Valentine’s Day is that you feel obliged to do something for it.
I don’t mind receiving a Valentine’s Day card from someone. My dream date is David Bowie. I am a lucky girl and I’ve never had a HORRIBLE date. I had my first kiss when I was 15 years old and it was during the summer holidays.”
So who do you think it is? 
o Mrs. Borner
o Mrs. Swart
o Mrs. Robert
o Mrs. Talichet
3. “Valentine’s Day is a very nice idea, but it’s a pity it has become so commercial. The words that for me describe Valentine’s Day are ‘Two’, ‘Love’, and ‘Passion’. I hate nothing about the day itself, but more the commercial side to it.
Everyday should be a Valentine’s Day! I love the passion and romance of the day, and looking for gifts and restaurants. I’d like to receive a card, why not? My dream date is only with the person I love. A Candlelight supper, nice music and a passionate night is my idea of a perfect date.
The worst date I ever had was having no one to share it with! My first kiss was when I was 14, and I believe in love at first sight.”
So who do you think it is? 
4. “Valentine’s day is a marketing event, as Chet Baker says in his song “my funny valentine’ everyday is a Valentine’s Day. I don’t really like it, though I’d like to receive a card from my boyfriend. My dream date is George Clooney, inviting me for a Nespresso. The next date I will have will probably be my worst. My first kiss? Last night!
Of course, I believe in love at first sight. And love at last sight too!”
So who do you think it is? 
o
Mrs. Hodoroaba
o Mr. Yassine, the “Surveillant”.
o Mrs. Ana, the Spanish “Surveillante”
o Mr. Alfred
WHAT DID YOU SAY?
Camille Delfeld and Charlotte Veldkamp
We interviewed friends and classmates, to find out what they thought of the day. Here’s what we found out.
For the cynical people out there, Valentine’s Day is a useless, commercial day invented by companies as a marketing event.
For positive-minded people –usually those who are in love - Valentine’s Day is considered to be a day for celebrating love, happiness, and the fact of being together with your partner.
But let’s be clear: most of us just think it’s a depressing day, invented to make single people suffer and feel incomplete!
Some Facts: 
· On average people fall in love for the first time at 12 years old.
· 52% of all people would like to receive a Valentine’s Day card, but preferably from their crush!
· Girls tend to believe in love at first sight more than boys, who generally think it’s commercial rubbish (Prince Charming and all that).
· Ah,the first kiss - that touchy-feely subject that teens like to avoid. For boys, their 1st French kiss is usually at around twelve years old, while for girls it happens more around their 13th.
LOVERS’ WALKS by Laurence Gerling
You don’t know where to go this Valentine’s Day? Well, here are three tips. Take your pick!
A For the Romantics – The Hague Rosarium
If you’re the romantic type, woo your valentine with the biggest flower garden in Holland. After a nice walk through the thousands of flowers, drink a nice cup of tea and eat a delicate snack in the tearoom. Enjoy a long trip on a boat on a little lake in the Westbroekpark. But of course don’t forget your safety jacket!
At the end of the day, take your partner out to a romantic dinner in the Wok restaurant next to the flower garden. Enjoy the swans swimming around the lake from your view through the window.
B For the thrillseekers – Scheveningen Beach
If you and your partner are ‘wild’, take him/her out for some bungee-jumping. This intense experience with your partner is something you will never forget. If you eventually free yourself from the bungee-jumping rope, a nice walk on the beach to watch the sun set is the perfect romantic ending to a perfect day.
C For the Nature-lovers Nature park in Gelderland:
For the nature-lovers, take a nice walk through the woods of the nature park in Gelderland. The daylight tries to make its way through the huge, legendary trees. The view is irresistible if you like green.
Nothing more romantic than a long nice walk through the woods and a refreshment in the bars located nearby around the protected nature area.