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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class — Holidays in Egypt Series at ArabicPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Egyptian holidays and observances. I’m John, and you're listening to Lesson 9. Valentine's Day. In Egyptian Arabic, it’s called [عيد الحب (īd el-ḥub)]. |
| Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14 each year. Many Arab countries, including Egypt, have begun to celebrate it recently. |
| In this lesson, we are going to talk about the celebration of Valentine's Day in Egypt. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question— |
| What is the other important festival dedicated to love in Egypt? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| Valentine's Day is celebrated by people of all ages; old, young, and even children. The concept of Valentine's Day in Egypt isn't limited only to married and engaged couples, but it extends to encompassing love, or [حب (ḥub)], in its general sense; that is to say, the love of the child for his mother, the love of brothers for one another, the love of sisters for one another, the love of friends for one another, and of course the love of a married couple. |
| Valentine's Day in Egypt is also a festival for flowers, or [الورد (el-ward)], and teddy bears, or [دبدوب (dabdūb)]. In other words, florists show their creativity in arranging beautiful bouquets of flowers. Also, souvenir shops become very crowded on this day because loving couples don't only exchange flowers, but also other various innovative gifts, for example: teddy bears, hearts, clocks, photo frames, and many other things. |
| Many Egyptians wear red clothes on this day as this is a symbol of love and a way to show how much they love their beloved ones. In addition, the coffee shops, especially the ones overlooking the Nile river, or [النيل (el-nīl)], become very crowded on this day, to the degree that they should be reserved in advance. Engaged and married couples are the most frequent visitors to those coffee shops during this day. |
| In Egypt, the sale of flowers on February 14 reaches its highest peak. In some cases it even represents 10% of annual flower sales. |
| Now, I'll give you the answer to the earlier quiz. |
| What is the other important festival dedicated to love in Egypt? |
| There is another day for celebrating Valentine's Day in Egypt which is called Egyptian Love Day. It is celebrated on November 4, unlike the international Valentine's Day which is celebrated on February 14. |
| So listeners, how was this lesson? Do you celebrate Valentine's Day? Let us know in the comments and we’ll see you next time! Bye! إلى اللقاء (ʾilā al-liqaāʾ)! |
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