Love, Internationally Quiz | Seasonal

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Salami suggests that Kyle may be interested in a holiday that celebrates Saint Dwynwen, the patron saint of lovers in a particular country. In which country is Dydd Santes Dwynwen celebrated on January 25th?

Answer: Wales

There are different versions of the story of Saint Dwynwen, most of which are rather depressing; she's not allowed to marry the man she loves, he rapes her, he is frozen in ice and then thawed and then she swears off men altogether. But the various versions end with her being granted the power to grant wishes to lovers which makes her quite popular. Salami tells Kyle that there is a smashing St. Dwynwen's pudding and that the word for "love" in Welsh is "cariad" (not to be confused with carrion). Kyle says he's not sure about all of those consonants and wonders if there is an easier-to-pronounce holiday.

2. Salami tells Kyle that another saint who gets recognition besides Saint Valentine is Saint George. In which country is La Diada de Sant Jordi celebrated by parts of the population on April 23rd?

Answer: Spain

Yes, this is the same Saint George who is celebrated in numerous countries from England to Lebanon, but in the Catalonia region of Spain, the holiday is celebrated similarly to Valentine's Day. The traditional gifts are flowers and books. Although the flower tradition has been celebrated since medieval times, the book tradition started in the 20th century as a way to honor William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, both of whom died on that day in 1616 (depending on which calendar you use). Salami tells Kyle that UNESCO has declared it National Book Day and that the word for "love" in Catalan is "amor". Kyle decides that this holiday has potential, but he wants to consider a few more.

3. Salami tells Kyle that some countries celebrate a modified version of Valentine's Day that includes recognition of friends, not just sweethearts. In which country is Yst�v�np�iv�, "Friend's Day", celebrated?

Answer: Finland

This Finnish holiday combines Valentine's Day with a traditional Finnish friendship day. The type of celebration varies from giving gifts to having parties. Getting engaged or married on this day is also popular. Salami also tells Kyle that the Finnish word for "love" is "rakkaus". Kyle decides he has too many friends, and he just can't afford this holiday.

4. Salami tells Kyle that some countries are struggling to resurrect their traditional romantic holidays in response to the popularity of Valentine's Day. Which country traditionally celebrates Dragobete on February 24th?

Answer: Romania

The holiday of Dragobete is based on a myth about Dragobete, the Romanian equivalent of the Cupid. Depending on the version, he had an evil mother, Dochia, who dragged him to his death on a frozen mountain, or he had a noble mother who froze to death in the mountains after escaping a Roman emperor.

Other versions also exist, but the emphasis of the various versions is pure love and the cycle of nature. The holiday's celebration had fallen by the way side over the years but has experienced a resurgence as an alternative to the commercialized Valentine's Day.

The festivities usually consist of get-togethers with perhaps flowers being exchanged. Salami also tells Kyle that the Romanian word for "love" is "iubire" or "dragoste". Kyle admits he'd rather get something other than flowers, so he listens for more ideas.

5. Salami tells Kyle that, while some countries try to suppress Valentine's Day as a protest against Americanization, this country mainly ignores the holiday as it usually coincides with a major local festival. Which country instead celebrates Dia dos Namorados on June 12th?

Answer: Brazil

Valentine's Day isn't traditionally celebrated in Brazil because it usually conflicts with Carnival, the major Brazilian festival. Besides, the traditional holiday of Dia dos Namorados (Day of the Enamored) provides similar celebrations to Valentine's Day. Gifts are exchanged and parties are held, some of which resemble a mini-Carnival with costumes and extravagant festivities. Salami also tells Kyle that the official language of Brazil is Portuguese and that the Portuguese word for "love" is "amor". Kyle is a bit leery of the festival atmosphere of the holiday because it sounds a bit like Mardi Gras, and he still hasn't recovered from last year's trip to New Orleans.

6. Salami tells Kyle that romantic holidays in some countries and cultures go back to olden times. In which country is the ancient festival of love, Tu B'Av, celebrated in late August or early September?

Answer: Israel

The holiday of Tu B'Av is celebrated on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Av. It is another traditional holiday that has been revived after years of dormancy. According to some sources, the holiday commemorates a day when the tribes of Israel were permitted to intermarry; thus, it is a holiday of lovers.

Modern celebrations include singing, dancing and giving gifts, and like Valentine's Day, it is a popular day for proposals and weddings. Salami also tells Kyle that the Hebrew word for "love" is "ahava". Kyle decides to pass as he's not keen on the singing and dancing.

7. Salami tells Kyle of another celebration from ancient times that honors the earth and women. In fact, women traditionally sat on thrones and had men obey them and bring them gifts. In which country does Sepandarmazgan traditionally take place a few days after Valentine's Day?

Answer: Iran

Valentine's Day is an interesting phenomenon in Iran. Despite being discouraged by the government, it is hugely popular and according to one source, is second only to the Persian New Year celebration as the largest commercial holiday in Iran. The traditional holiday of Sepandarmazgan, celebrated on the 29th of the Iranian month of Bahman, is less popular and equally discouraged by the government, but it is experiencing a revival by those with an interest in ancient Persian culture. Salami says that this holiday is also called Persian Women's Day and that the word for "love" in Persian is "eshq". Kyle thinks that this holiday sounds too one-sided and prefers one with something for him also.

8. Salami suggests to Kyle that if he really enjoys Valentine's Day, he may want to visit this country. The 14th of every month represents a different "love" holiday, although the ones in February, March and April are the most popular. In which of the following countries are White Day and Black Day celebrated in addition to Valentine's Day?

Answer: South Korea

On February 14th in South Korea, women are the ones buying the gifts for men, and men have to reciprocate on White Day, March 14th; Japan follows this same tradition. However in South Korea, singles who didn't receive gifts then celebrate Black Day on April 14th by going out with other singles and eating black noodles. Salami tells Kyle that other days devoted to love include Kiss Day, Rose Day and Wine Day and that the word for "love" in Korean is "sarang". Kyle thinks that this is way too much celebrating; it will interfere with his quiz-writing.

9. Salami tells Kyle that a tradition in this country allows unmarried couples to share a hotel room on this romantic holiday (only married couples can do so on other days, apparently). In which of the following countries does the Night of Sevens celebration take place on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month?

Answer: China

Also known as the Qi Xi or Magpie Festival, this holiday, which usually falls in August, is based on a myth about two lovers who were separated by the Milky Way and who could only meet once a year when magpies flew up into the sky to make a bridge for them.

Although Valentine's Day is increasingly popular in China, this traditional holiday of love is experiencing a resurgence. Salami tells Kyle that one of the traditions on this holiday is stargazing and that the word for "love" in Chinese is "ai". Kyle gets dizzy staring at the sky, so he decides to check out the next holiday instead.

10. Salami tells Kyle that this country is a major exporter of Valentine's Day flowers, but it does not celebrate the holiday on February 14th. In which country is Dia del Amor y la Amistad celebrated on the third Saturday in September?

Answer: Colombia

Interestingly, this holiday was established by law in 1969 to celebrate a day other than February 14th. Apparently, celebrating the day that Saint Valentine was decapitated just didn't seem romantic enough. The celebrations are similar to Valentine's Day, with gifts being exchanged.

Another tradition calls for an "Amigo Secreto" gift, similar to Secret Santa gifts at Christmas. Salami tells Kyle that other Latin American countries also celebrate Dia del Amor y la Amistad but do so on February 14th and that the word for "love" in Spanish is "amor". Kyle decides to think it over.

Source: Author PDAZ

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Love, Internationally Trivia Quiz

After years of giving his sweetheart video games for Valentine's Day, Kyle has decided to do something different. He asks his friend (and holiday expert), Salami, what types of traditions exist in other countries. Can you identify the country?

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>