Jeff--Saturday
I know, Valentine's Day was two days ago, but instead of dedicating myself at that time to those I love, I was caught up refereeing a heated exchange on my Facebook page over a WWII era poster I innocently put up along with the comment: "This WWII poster about Greece could just as well be speaking to us today."
I thought the poster a great example of period art, offering a consoling message to greatly troubled Greece, but it set off a vigorous political debate--largely erudite and civil--over who's responsible for what Greece faces at this time and what might be done.
As interesting as those comments were, they didn't represent the sort of cozy Valentine's Day message I was aiming for. So, as my penance to those I love who felt I let them down on the big day, here's a post I did several years back on the history of Valentine's Day.
For those of you now screaming at me to show you the poster that stimulated all this, you've not been forgotten. It's at the foot of this post...just beyond the chocolates, flowers, and my upcoming events schedule. But first, a bit of history.
Perhaps the most famous Valentine’s Day ever was February 14, 1929. That’s when members of Al Capone’s South Side Gang—some dressed as cops—lined up seven men affiliated with Bugs Moran’s North Side Gang inside a garage and shot them dead as part of a war for control of organized crime in Prohibition-era Chicago.
I know, Valentine's Day was two days ago, but instead of dedicating myself at that time to those I love, I was caught up refereeing a heated exchange on my Facebook page over a WWII era poster I innocently put up along with the comment: "This WWII poster about Greece could just as well be speaking to us today."
I thought the poster a great example of period art, offering a consoling message to greatly troubled Greece, but it set off a vigorous political debate--largely erudite and civil--over who's responsible for what Greece faces at this time and what might be done.
As interesting as those comments were, they didn't represent the sort of cozy Valentine's Day message I was aiming for. So, as my penance to those I love who felt I let them down on the big day, here's a post I did several years back on the history of Valentine's Day.
For those of you now screaming at me to show you the poster that stimulated all this, you've not been forgotten. It's at the foot of this post...just beyond the chocolates, flowers, and my upcoming events schedule. But first, a bit of history.
Perhaps the most famous Valentine’s Day ever was February 14, 1929. That’s when members of Al Capone’s South Side Gang—some dressed as cops—lined up seven men affiliated with Bugs Moran’s North Side Gang inside a garage and shot them dead as part of a war for control of organized crime in Prohibition-era Chicago.
But this piece is about hearts and
flowers. No, ye cynics, not bullets
through the heart and flowers for a funeral, but those bouquets you give to
your beloved on the 14th of February—or risk consequences
unmentionable in civilized society.
Yes, chocolates (a rumored aphrodisiac) and cards (did you
know the first card was written in the form of a poem from a royal prisoner in
the Tower of London to his wife?—even he knew forgetting was not an option) are
also big Valentine’s Day favorites, too, but this is about flowers.
 |
| Charles, Duke of Orleans and first Valentine's Day card sender |
But first a bit of history on how lovers became so obsessed
with VD—hmm, any wonder why that acronym never caught on?
One legend says it began during a time of religious
persecution in third century Rome, when Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage
for soldier-age young men. Single men
fought better, he thought. [Ed. Note: With great will power I resisted
inserting a joke here.]
A young priest thought that unfair, and kept performing
marriages in secret. When Claudius
discovered the priest’s violation of his edict, the Emperor sentenced him to
death. While in prison, the priest befriended
and healed his jailer’s blind daughter, and before being put to death—on
February 14, 270—sent a letter to her signing it “From Your Valentine.”
Yep, Valentine was his name, and the legend goes on to say that
in 496, after Valentine had been sainted, Pope Gelasius declared February 14th
as a day to honor his memory as the patron saint of happy marriages, engaged
couples and young people.
That’s disputed though, for some claim the date corresponds to
the Roman fertility celebration of Lupercalia
held between February 13th and 15th, and others claim it
relates more to the period on the ancient Athenian calendar dedicated to the
marriage of Zeus and Hera. You knew I’d
work the Greeks in here somewhere.
 |
| Lupercalia by Beccafumi |
But it’s undisputed that the romantic love connotation to
Valentine’s Day began in the 14th Century with this simple line by
one rather influential writer:
 |
| Translation available via Glasgow |
Still, it wasn’t until the early 1700s that flowers became a
tradition on Valentine’s Day. That’s generally attributed to Charles II of
Sweden’s introduction to Europe of the Persian custom of the “language of
flowers.” Each flower had its own
meaning, a sort of secret code between the sender and recipient.
And with the rose symbolizing passion and love, it’s no
wonder roses are the number one best seller every Valentine’s Day (257 million
in the US in 2014). But there are other
flowers finding their way to Valentines, and for those of you wondering just
what your beloved may have meant by those flowers that arrived at your doorstep
today, here’s a list of meanings. http://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/aboutflowers/flower-meanings
Just don’t shoot the messenger.
By the way, Valentine’s Day isn’t a big deal in Greece. No reason to be, Greece gave Eros to the
world. Now it’s only looking to get some
love back in return.
Happy (Belated) Valentine’s Day, Barbara, Karen, Jennifer, Gavi, and
Rachel. Okay, Jon, Terry, and Azi, too. And of course to….
--Jeff
My Upcoming Events
March 2, 4:00 PM
Tucson, AZ
TUCSON FESTIVAL OF BOOKS – Student Union, Tucson Room
Panelist “Masters of the Police Procedural,” with Tim Johnston and Peter Leonard, moderated by Anne Segal.
March 3, 10:00 AM
Tucson, AZ
TUCSON FESTIVAL OF BOOKS – Integrated Learning Center, Room 120
Panelist “CSI Publishers Row,” with Michael McGarrity and Martin Walker, moderated by Cara Black.
March 3, 1:00 PM
Tucson, AZ
TUCSON FESTIVAL OF BOOKS – Koffler, Room 218
Moderating “A Legal Thriller Conversation” with Phillip Margolin and Harriet Tyce
March 3, 2:15 PM
Tucson, AZ
TUCSON FESTIVAL OF BOOKS
Author Signing at CLUES UNLIMITED exhibition venue
March 29, 4:00 PM
Vancouver BC, Canada
LEFT COAST CRIME –Hyatt Regency Vancouver
Moderating “International Settings” with Alice K. Boatwright, G.M. Malliet, Sujata Massey, and S.J. Rozan
THE MYKONOS MOB book tour begins:
April 2, 7:00 PM
Seattle, WA
THIRD PLACE BOOKS (Lake Forest Park)
Author Speaking and Signing
April 6, 3:00 PM
San Francisco, CA
BOOK PASSAGE (Ferry Building-Embarcadero)
Author Speaking and Signing
April 7, 3:00 PM
Orange, CA
BOOK CARNIVAL
Author Speaking and Signing
April 10, 7 PM
Pasadena, CA
VROMAN’S (East Colorado)
Author Speaking and Signing
April 12, 7 PM
Dallas, TX
Interabang (Preston Oaks)
Author Speaking and Signing
April 16, 7:00 PM
Scottsdale, AZ
POISONED PEN BOOKSTORE
Author Speaking and Signing
April 24, 6:30 PM
Houston, TX
MURDER BY THE BOOK
Author Speaking and Signing
April 26, 7:00 PM
Denver, CO
TATTERED COVER (East Colfax)
Author Speaking and Signing
April 29, 7:00 PM
Pittsburgh, PA
MYSTERY LOVERS BOOKSHOP
Author Speaking and Signing
May 1, 6:30 PM
New York, NY
MYSTERIOUS BOOKSHOP
Author Speaking and Signing
May 2, 7:00 PM
Naperville, IL
ANDERSON’S BOOKSHOP
Author Speaking and Signing
May 3, 7:00 PM
Chicago, IL (Forest Park)
CENTURIES & SLEUTHS BOOKSTORE
Author Speaking and Signing
May 4, 2 PM
Milwaukee, WI
BOSWELL BOOK COMPANY
Author Speaking and Signing
May 9, 5:00 PM
BRISTOL, UK
CRIMEFEST—Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel
Panelist on “Nobody Would Believe it if You Wrote it: Fake News, Post-Truth and Changing Words,” with Fiona Erskine, William Shaw, Gilly Macmillan, moderated by Paul E. Hardisty
May 10, 5:10 PM
BRISTOL, UK
CRIMEFEST—Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel
Panelist on “Sunshine Noir,” with Paul Hardisty, Barbara Nadel, Robert Wilson, moderated by Michael Stanley
October 31-November 3
DALLAS, TX
BOUCHERCON 2019---Hyatt Regency Dallas
Panel Schedule Yet to be Announced
Posts
I think you need to add Kardamyli, Stoupa or Ag. Nik to your book tour schedule. . .
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestion.
DeleteGood grief! THAT caused an internet storm? I think people should take a hard look around...
ReplyDeleteLoved the Valentine's day post, though!
Believe it or not, Michael, the storm continues! Imagine what would have happened had I put up a poster of POTUS. On second thought, let's not.
ReplyDeleteWhy did that poster cause an Internet storm? It's art, not a slogan, a party or a revolt.
ReplyDelete