Valentine's Day made "soft landing" in China |
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http://www.qhnews.com ¡¡
2006-02-14 12:05
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This year's Valentine's Day almost coincides with China's traditional Lantern Festival. Valentine's trendiness has clearly surpassed that of the traditional Lantern Festival with various major retailers making far more preparation for the former than the latter. The Western festival of Valentine has made a "soft landing" in China, reflecting the increasingly multifarious values of the Chinese people.
Unlike the high-decibel controversy and numerous accusations triggered by the popularity in China of Western traditional holidays like Christmas, this year's Valentine's Day has had no "run-in" with China's traditional Lantern Festival. But Valentine's Day's popularity in China, especially with the young people, has not aroused much, if any, criticism. The general populace's quiet acceptance of this Western tradition signifies that Valentine's Day has made a "soft landing" in China.
Most Valentine's days fall between China's Spring Festival and Lantern Festival. Occasionally Valentine will take place, like this year, right after the Lantern Festival. Just as the sound of firecrackers still reverberate in China's sky, the fragrance of roses and the aroma of rich chocolates permeate every corner in China. Goods on display in many shops also give off romantic colors. On top of these, numerous merchants make their best effort to have unique offerings for the occasion. Roses and multi-colored chocolates, romantic lover's set menu, super-savings "lovers' cellphones", lover's accessories, even undergarments rolled up into "roses" have all become fashionable Valentine's Day items sweeping over the entire nation.
One can see that Valentine's Day possesses a vast market in China from the strenuous effort merchants put in for its preparation and the romantic angles pitched by media in some regions. And from the deliberate silence of some usually harsh critics toward a "Western festival" such as Valentine's Day, one can conclude that most Chinese have accepted this Western tradition, reflecting the increasingly multifarious nature of the value systems of most Chinese people. Editem (February 14, 2006)
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