… Valentine’s Day spirit dampened by economic depression

Ngoni Dapira

IT’s  that time of the year again in the month of February on the 14th day, where lovebirds are expected to rekindle their romance and love for each other whilst businesspeople commercialise love and make a killing from romantic dinner events, lingerie, flowers, chocolates, teddy bears, bracelets and necklaces and all sorts of promotional Valentine’s presents.

Some of the luring promotions for couples being offered on Valentine’s Day at White Horse Inn in Vumba.

A survey in the central business district of Mutare yesterday (Wednesday) showed that though some boutiques and retail outlets had well prepared for the annual calendar event of love, not much hype was there most likely due to the economic depression.

One boutique owner said compared to yesteryears their Valentine cards, tea mugs and chocolates used to sell like hot cakes on the eve of Valentine’s Day, especially among teenagers and young couples in their 20’s that wanted to romantically express the sentimental value of their love.

“Although many people are coming in to make inquiries most eventually walk out without buying anything. We have however had a few sales but this is by far not like Valentine’s celebrations in the old days in the early 2000s,” said Rosemary Sachiti that works in an upmarket boutique.

In supermarkets such as OK, Spar and Choppies there were Valentine decorations. OK and Spar are running promotions. In local hotels Holiday Inn, Wise Owl, Manica SkyView, White Horse Inn and Musangano Lodge have been trending on advertising their Valentine dinner events and promotions. At Holiday Inn tonight there will be a live band whilst at Manica SkyView entertainment will be headlined by the popular  socialite and comedian, Madam Boss, whose real name is Tyra Chikocho. At Wise Owl their casino will be having some promotions for participants and a romantic dinner.

Valentine’s Day promotion running in Spar Mutare.

However, whether one buys a gift or not some people were debating whether the assertion ‘it’s the thought that counts’ holds water on this day which has become so commercialised. Gifts and treating your partner have become the symbol of love, a concept now deeply engraved in people over the years inculcated by greedy capitalists. Downtown in Mutare at the famous Body shop, Eastern Times eavesdropped on some young men that were complaining as they bought some cheap perfumes just not to be found empty handed on Valentine.

On the other hand, whilst Valentine’s Day may be associated with romance the origin of the holiday is not romantic and dates way back.

Cupid with his love bow and arrow.

Even though not much is known about the real history of Saint Valentines on which the holiday is based, the legend of Saint Valentine has several tellings. This is however the most famous one of how Saint Valentine became affiliated with a love focused holiday—Saint Valentine was a Roman priest who performed weddings for soldiers forbidden to marry, because of a Roman emperor law ruling that married soldiers did not make good warriors. He wore a ring with a Cupid on it, a symbol of love, which helped soldiers recognize him. The Cupid also became a symbol and identity mark on greeting cards, he handed out. Because of this legend, St Valentine became known as the patron saint of love.

So, as the world celebrates Valentine’s Day, end of day couples should not be too hard on themselves if times are hard and just say ‘it’s the thought that counts’, but above all, beyond doubt it should be a day to reflect, rekindle and let love take centre stage,  not only as couples but to friends and family as well just like what St Valentine promoted-Love.