Flowers, chocolates, postcards (usually red and heart-shaped), love poems, gifts smaller and larger, festive dinners, romantic retreats, festivals of love songs, medieval reenactments and tours of historical locations connected to famous romances...  an impressive repertoire for a country that began celebrating the Valentine's Day only in the 1990ties. 

Although various forms of Valentine festivities have been enjoyed in Western Europe for centuries (Chaucer's 1382 poem entitled "The Parlement of Foules" is the oldest record linking "Valentines" with romantic love), Poles generally remained faithful to their Slavic tradition of celebrating love, fertility and fire during the "St. John Wigilia" (Noc Świętojańska) coinciding with vernal equinox. But why not open arms to another opportunity for celebrating love? 

Walentynki became popular in Poland after the Third Polish Republic (1989–today) opened the borders for Poles aching to travel abroad. This presumably helped to adopt some of the customs observed far from home - and judging by the constant expansion of Valentine-related activities, they found a fertile milieu in contemporary Poland. Since 2002, the country even has an annual festival akin to those enjoyed in Tyrol and Bavarian centers of St. Valentine cult.

Walentynki Chełmińskie are held for three days around February 14 (the Day of St. Valentine) in the city of Chełmno located in Eastern Pomerania. Known for well-preserved monuments of Gothic architecture (i.e. the 1280-1320 church of St Mary housing the St. Valentine relic), the city spares no effort to uphold its status of the "City of People in Love".   The festivities intertwine old customs with modern entertainment.

To name a few attractions, you can get rolls with "lubczyk" (lovage - an herb used in old days to make love potions) and various heart-shaped pastries, take the "Alchemy and Amore in the Kitchen" classes, construct huge hearts of flaming candles, roam streets in medieval costumes, race withparty in torture chambers [sic], watch folk dancers, and partake in numerous art competitions and concerts - just to remember that "All That Counts Is Love "...

♥ibf ♥