St. Valentine's Day in Russia

Editor's note: This lesson is brought to you by FunRussian.com - free fun video lessons for Russian language learners.

Photo by flickr/vmiramontes CC-BY 2.0

День Свято́го Валенти́на (St. Valentine's Day) came to Russia in early 1990's and it's a relatively new holiday. Although it is not observed as a public holiday it is widely celebrated and remains one of the most popular romantic holidays in Russia.

At some schools children exchange валенти́нки (valentines) and hold special events, concerts and parties to celebrate the Valentine's Day. Ночны́е клу́бы (night clubs) arrange special parties for couples to celebrate the holiday in a very romantic way. Some shops, services and businesses in Russia create а́кции ко Дню Свято́го Валенти́на (St. Valentine's Day special offers) when they offer sales or discounts on certain services or products. In lieu of the Valentine's day the windows of the shops are decorated with hearts, flowers and many different gift items to attract the shoppers.

How Valentine's Day is Celebrated in Russia

Valentine's Day in Russia is a wonderful opportunity to share your true feelings with the loved ones. Any gift that expresses your любо́вь (love) and внима́ние (care) for your sweetheart will be very well received. Flower giving is a common practice in Russia. Giving flowers to acknowledge special occasions and holidays is considered one of the most romantic gestures in Russian culture. Red roses are a symbol of passionate love and romance – they are the most popular flowers on St. Valentine's Day.

Usually a woman would receive цветы́ (flowers) and a box of her favorite chocolates or candy from her boyfriend or husband, and maybe a small romantic gift on Valentine's Day. Романти́ческий у́жин (romantic dinner) is also very popular in Russia on Valentine's Day, whether it's a homemade candlelit dinner or a dinner at a fancy restaurant.

Another popular пода́рок (gift) is a Valentine's Day card with a romantic message inside. The message can be as personal and romantic, as you like. You can write your own message in prose or verse and you can also find many different иде́й (ideas) online.

How to Wish Happy Valentine's Day in Russian

This is how to wish Happy Valentine's Day in Russian:

С Днём Свято́го Валенти́на!
[s dnyom svee-TOH-vah vah-leen-TEE-nah]
Happy St. Valentine's Day!

Here are a few more Valentine's Day phrases in Russian:

Ты бу́дешь мои́м Валенти́ном? - Will you be my Valentine? (asking a guy)
Ты бу́дешь мое́й Валенти́ной? - Will you be my Valentine? (asking a girl)
Будь мои́м Валенти́ном - Be my Valentine! (asking a guy)
Будь мое́й Валенти́ной - Be my Valentine! (asking a girl)
Валенти́нка - Valentine's Day card

You can learn how to say "I love you" in Russian and other romantic phrases in the article – Learn Romantic Phrases in Russian.

Russian Valentine's Day card

These are only a few examples of the romantic messages for your Valentine's Day card:

(to a male)
Моя любо́вь тебя́ храни́ла,
Когда́ вдали́ ты был, мой ми́лый,
Моя любо́вь тебя́ встреча́ла,
Когда́ верну́лся. Пусть нема́ло
Есть впереди́ путей-дорог,
Забо́т, жела́ний и трево́г,
Но путево́дною звездо́й
Моя любо́вь всегда́ с тобо́й!

***

(to a female)

И сло́вно ма́ленькое чу́до,
Возни́кла ты в мое́й судьбе́.
С тобо́й себя́ я позабу́ду
И все, что есть, отда́м тебе́!

***

(to a male or female)

Нет тепле́е твои́х рук,
Нет светле́е твои́х глаз.
Пусть не бу́дет разлу́к
И печа́лей у нас!

More Valentine's Day wishes ideas.

Happy Valentine's Day, dear readers!

Got questions?

Ask them in the Russian Questions and Answers — a place for students, teachers and native Russian speakers to discuss Russian grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and other aspects of the Russian language.