How the world celebrates Valentine’s Day

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In Saudi Arabia, mostly men are the ones who deliver gifts to women, and gifts vary between expensive items, pets, red roses and balloons. (Supplied)
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Updated 14 February 2022
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How the world celebrates Valentine’s Day

  • Different cultures have their own way of marking the day of love with their sweethearts

RIYADH: With Valentine’s Day celebrated around the world on Feb. 14, different cultures have their own way of marking the day of love.

In some countries, Valentine’s Day is not in February. Brazil has a carnival that falls close to Feb. 14, so people celebrate the day of love on June 12 instead and call it Dia dos Namorados. Gifts, roses, chocolates, and romantic festivities are abundant on that date.

In Japan, Valentine’s Day is marked in different ways as it is the woman giving a gift and the kind of gift depends on if she is in a romantic relationship with the man or not. Japanese women give “giri-choko” (obligation or duty chocolates) to men they are not in a romantic relationship with and “honmei-choko” (true feeling or true love chocolates) to men who they are romantically involved with.




Japanese women give “honmei-choko” chocolates to men who are in a romantically involved with. (Supplied)

But men in Japan have to wait a month after Valentine’s Day to give gifts to their sweethearts, March 14, and they call it White Day.
In Slovenia, Valentine’s Day is not celebrated in a romantic way as this date marks the beginning of work in the fields and is called Spring Festival. Instead, Slovenia celebrates Valentine’s Day on March 12.
In Estonia, Valentine’s Day is centered around the concept of friendship and they call it sobrapaev, where people celebrate all kinds of love on that day, whether it is between family members or peers.
Ghana may have discovered the most delicious way to observe Valentine’s Day as people celebrate this date as Chocolate Day.
Restaurants and shops display all kinds of chocolates as a way of attracting tourists to the country, which is one of the largest exporters of cocoa in the world.




Japanese women give “giri-choko” chocolates to men they are not in a romantic relationship with. (Supplied)

Denmark and Norway have their own distinct way of expressing romance. Men send gaekkebrev, witty notes, to women without revealing the sender’s identity. They only sign the letter with a set of dots equal to the number of letters in the sender’s name.
If the woman manages to find out the sender’s name, she receives an Easter egg later in the same year. If she fails, she sends an Easter egg to the sender.
In Saudi Arabia, it is mostly men who give gifts to women, and presents can be expensive items, pets, red roses, and balloons.
Shatha Abdulhalim, a gift shop owner, said it was mostly men who took the initiative to gift their loved ones and that they gave pets like cats, rabbits, and fish bowls decorated with red roses and balloons.
“Every year on Valentine’s Day, I receive many orders to decorate gifts, and some of them are pets. They bring the pet to the store, and we decorate it with red ribbons, roses, and balloons,” Abdulhalim told Arab News. “The most unique gift order that I have received is actually from a girl. She collected many different funky-looking socks, and we decorated (arranged) them in the shape of a flower bouquet. She said her husband loves socks.”




Men in Japan have to wait a month after Valentine's day to give gifts to their sweethearts on March 14, and they call it White Day. (Supplied)

Saudis also like to celebrate the event by having a party with a dress code, with loved ones gathering in groups to celebrate the occasion together.
“I get a lot of requests to decorate venues with red balloons and flowers; some of them also like to collect red candy to have it as gifts, and Saudis are romantic when it comes to celebrating Valentine’s,” Abdulhalim said.
Hammad Al-Shammari, a marketing and communications specialist, said that Saudis were now getting advanced in gifting by using apps and digital credit cards.
“There is a transformation to digital payments, especially if the gifter doesn’t live in the same city as the other person, and most gifts that Saudis like to give through paying apps are appointments at a spa, chocolates, flowers, and dinner,” Al-Shammari said.


Saudi film ‘Hijra’ to compete at Venice Film Festival

Updated 22 July 2025
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Saudi film ‘Hijra’ to compete at Venice Film Festival

RIYADH: Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen’s feature film “Hijra” (Migration) will compete in the Venice Spotlight Competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Backed by the Film Commission’s Daw program, the selection is Saudi Arabia’s latest bid for global recognition after Ameen’s award-winning debut “Scales” premiered at the same festival in 2019.

The film follows a grandmother, Khairiya Nazmi, and her granddaughter, Lamar Feddan, as they journey across northern Saudi Arabia to find a missing teenage girl.

Shot over more than 55 days in eight Saudi cities – Taif, Jeddah, Madinah, Wadi Al-Faraa, AlUla, Tabuk, NEOM, and Duba – the story unfolds against the backdrop of Hajj.

Ameen’s narrative explores Saudi Arabia’s historical role as a crossroads for Muslim communities, weaving themes of migration and intergenerational resilience.

Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen’s feature film “Hijra” (Migration) will compete in the Venice Spotlight Competition

Film Commission CEO Abdullah Al-Qahtani said: “Our participation in the Venice International Film Festival reflects the remarkable progress of Saudi cinema and the dedication of our filmmakers.

“Through initiatives like the Daw program, we empower a new generation of Saudi storytellers to share authentic narratives with global audiences. We are honored to represent the Kingdom at this prestigious event and look forward to building new partnerships and opportunities for Saudi talent.”

He noted that the Daw initiative has supported more than 250 regional films since its launch, aligning with Vision 2030’s goal of positioning Saudi cinema on the global stage.

During the festival, the commission will host a roundtable, “Young Audiences and Cinemas,” to explore strategies for engaging younger generations through local and global case studies.

It will also present a panel, “Making Cinematic Success,” featuring Saudi filmmakers crafting original narratives inspired by local culture and connecting with global audiences.

At the same venue, nine Saudi short films will be screened, showing the diversity of national creative talent and storytelling.


Zuhair Murad continues Hollywood premiere streak

Updated 22 July 2025
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Zuhair Murad continues Hollywood premiere streak

DUBAI: Lebanese designer-to-the-stars Zuhair Murad continues to dress Hollywood’s TV and silver screen actors, with the likes of Krysten Ritter and Maria Gabriela De Faria donning his designs on the red carpet as of late.

For her part, US actress Ritter hit the red carpet at the premiere of TV series “Dexter Resurrection” in New York in a black high neck gown with silver star detailing from Murad’s ready-to-wear pre-fall 2025 collection.

US actress Krysten Ritter hit the red carpet at the premiere of TV series “Dexter Resurrection” in New York in a black high neck gown with silver star detailing from Zuhair Murad’s ready-to-wear pre-fall 2025 collection. (Getty Images)

Earlier this month, Venezuelan star De Faria attended the Los Angeles premiere of “Superman” in a black sequined gown with a high neckline and chiffon cape from the label’s fall 2025 collection.

“What a dream of a dress you guys gave me,” De Faria commented on the fashion house’s Instagram post about the gown this week.

Murad seems to have been heavily involved in the “Superman” press tour, dressing lead star Rachel Brosnahan for the Rio de Janeiro premiere in late June.

She wore a floor-length dress crafted from sheer navy blue fabric, adorned with geometric beadwork and sequins. The design featured a structured, plunging neckline with wide shoulder straps. The fitted bodice extended into a subtly flared mermaid-style skirt. 

Brosnahan takes on the role of Lois Lane in the upcoming film, directed by James Gunn. 

Since founding his brand in 1997, Murad has gained international attention. His creations have been worn by celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Taylor Swift, Celine Dion, Sofia Vergara, Kristen Stewart and Scarlett Johansson on major red carpets.

He is one of a handful of Arab designers on the official Paris Fashion Week and Paris Haute Couture Week calendars.

Murad was recently championed by British Lebanese actress Razane Jammal, who wore a black gown featuring a plunging neckline and tie detail at the waist from the designer’s ready-to-wear Pre-Fall 2025 collection to the launch of the Panthere de Cartier collection in Istanbul in June.

In April, American actress Blake Lively and singer songwriter Nicole Scherzinger both wore Zuhair Murad designs to the 2025 Time 100 Gala.

Lively opted for a pink taffeta off-the-shoulder gown with a corseted bodice and train detail from Murad’s Spring 2025 ready-to-wear collection. Scherzinger chose a black off-the-shoulder sequined gown from the designer’s Pre-Fall 2025 ready-to-wear collection.


Le Sushi Bar offers hope in the heart of Beirut as Japanese chef hosts residency

Updated 22 July 2025
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Le Sushi Bar offers hope in the heart of Beirut as Japanese chef hosts residency

BEIRUT: “For a restaurant to last 28 years in Lebanon — it’s heroic,” chef Mario Haddad told Arab News recently as he reflected on the industry in a city and country facing several challenges.

Haddad believes he is among those redefining the fine dining scene, as Beirut undergoes a nascent revival.

His restaurant, Le Sushi Bar, stands like a sleek, elegant trophy in the heart of downtown.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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With the arrival of decorated Japanese chef-in-residence Sayaka Sawaguchi this summer, he believes the restaurant is helping to place Lebanon’s fine dining back on the global stage.

“We decided to have a chef-in-residence because we wanted to celebrate Lebanon coming back to life,” Haddad declared.

For Sawaguchi, integrating into Lebanon — a country shaped by resilience and a distinct warmth — came naturally.

She spent weeks before the residence — between July 9 and 27 — traveling across the country, immersing herself in the intricacies of the country.

“Lebanon taught me the beautiful balance of spices, herbs, and olive oil — just like how Lebanese people live their life every day,” Sawaguchi said.

Despite coming from vastly different worlds, Haddad and Sawaguchi found common ground in their passion for food.

“She fits in like a glove ... It’s not easy not having your tools, your kitchen, your ingredients — but her attitude was spot on,” Haddad said.

“The art of feeding each other is definitely our shared passion,” Sawaguchi added.

Haddad has an eye for detail, which appears to be a key element of his restaurant’s success.

Watching him in his element — surveying each dish as it reaches the table, greeting every guest like family, and taking joy  in their delight — it becomes clear why Le Sushi Bar has endured through the storm.

 


Saudi artist transforms scrap metal into sculpture

Updated 22 July 2025
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Saudi artist transforms scrap metal into sculpture

  • Mishal Al-Amri has been upcycling waste materials into artwork for 20 years
  • He recently held his first public exhibition under the theme 'The Neglected'

JEDDAH: Where others see scrap metal destined for the trash, Saudi artist Mishal Al-Amri sees opportunities to create artwork.

In his bustling studio in Jeddah, Al-Amri works to remove rust before cutting, rolling, shaping and joining thousands of pieces of shaped scrap metal by hand.

He has been upcycling unwanted bits of metal throughout his artistic career, which has spanned 20 years.

“The artist has an eye that sees what others cannot; an eye that captures the beauty in the heart of the damaged and neglected, and restores it to life and meaning. My ultimate hope and goal are to give scrap metal a new life,” Al-Amri told Arab News.

When growing up, Al-Amri loved to draw. As he got older, he started painting. It was not until he retired at the age of 59 that he discovered his true passion and began sculpting with recycled metal after teaching himself how to weld.

“As I said before, it was just a hobby and I stopped it for a long time after I joined the banking sector due to the difficulty of balancing the hobby, the job, and then the family later on.

“Anyhow, when I was approaching 40 years of age, and after having a family and professional job, I began to pursue my artistic journey once again. I worked on paintings during my free time and vacations, and I lived for nearly 26 years just painting, readings, attending art seminars, workshops, and holding exhibitions alongside other local artists.”

Speaking about how he started collecting scrap metal items from the street, the 65-year-old said: “The spark for this artistic journey was the first moments of an evening walk, when my eyes would trace the floor littered with scraps of plastic, scraps of iron and discarded remnants of lighting and plumbing, no longer fit for use or neglected.”

He added: “These pieces I picked up from the streets would become the core of my personal art collection — materials I plucked from the fate of neglect to submit to my ideas and participate in the creation of beauty.”

These materials can end up waiting for days and sometimes years in storage in his studio until an idea suddenly emerges.

“The journey of constructing the painting or sculpture begins; from choosing the colors and sizes of the pieces, to weaving the relationships between them into an artistic composition that gives it a new spirit.”

The Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts recently hosted his first solo exhibition showcasing under the theme “The Neglected.”

“This exhibition is the fruit of those moments; an invitation to see the beauty in the unusual, and to contemplate art’s ability to redefine what is damaged and neglected to ultimately become more precious and valuable,” he said.

“My artistic experience in this exhibition is based on two complementary principles: First, protecting the environment from the effects of pollution and human-caused damage, by collecting remnants of harmful materials in the soil and saving them from becoming a burden on the earth.

“Second, sustaining the usefulness of objects, by recycling them and using them in the field of art after their original function has ended, reborn as works of art that convey an aesthetic, humanitarian and environmental message.

Al-Amri says that he plans to continue creating scrap metal sculptures and paintings.

“On a personal level, I want to reopen the Cezanne Fine Arts Center, which I founded years ago and continue to cultivate art until its very end.

“On a more general level, I strive to raise environmental awareness, enabling people to respect and preserve the environment.”


Skincare brand promises care for Arab complexions

Updated 21 July 2025
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Skincare brand promises care for Arab complexions

DUBAI: Biochemist and content creator Toufic Braidi is on a mission to bridge tradition and science with Antati, which he says is a “clean” beauty brand formulated specifically for Arab skin and the region’s climate.

With many of his videos racking up 100 million views and counting, Braidi has parlayed his background in biomedical engineering and biochemistry into a line developed and manufactured in Lebanon.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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“I realized there was a huge gap in the Arab world when it comes to good skincare, especially products that respect our climate, our genes and our culture,” Braidi told Arab News.

Antati’s formulations are fragrance-free, vegan, halal-certified and non-comedogenic.

“We are committed to creating risk-free formulations that are clean, safe and effective,” he said, noting that the brand avoids ethanol, pork derivatives, animal-based ingredients and synthetic fragrances.

“There’s a lack of cultural respect in the global beauty industry. I wanted to create a brand that truly reflects us.

“Why am I going to go and spend on skincare that doesn’t care about what Mahmoud from Riyadh thinks — when Mahmoud from Riyadh is a conservative halal consumer who deserves to be seen?”

The brand name Antati is derived from the Arabic words “anta” and “anti,” the masculine and feminine forms of “you,” reflecting the brand’s inclusive mission.

Its product range includes Arabian Pearl Face Cream, Shams Glow Serum, Sahara Shine Serum, and Desert Breeze Toner, all with names inspired by Arab geography and heritage.

Designed to work with common traits of Arab skin, such as higher melanin levels, oiliness and sensitivity to heat, Braidi emphasizes that understanding skin function is key.

“Arab skin is robust, but we live in harsh climates. We need ingredients that hydrate without increasing sebum and that won’t irritate sensitive skin.”

Despite launching only seven months ago, Antati has seen strong organic growth. Endorsements include pop superstar Myriam Fares’ unexpected Snapchat post driving thousands of sales.

“At first, I thought our moisturizer would be the least popular,” Braidi said. “But the Arabian Pearl Face Cream is our bestseller.”

For Braidi, Antati is more than skincare: “It’s confidence, empowerment and self-care created by an Arab, for Arabs.”