Fireworks and flowers: Turks embrace Valentine's Day

By Nilar Kar Onum

ISTANBUL

Retailers in Muslim-majority Turkey are looking forward to tomorrow’s sales increase linked to Valentine’s Day – with more romantic people grasping the opportunity to pop the question.

However, there are also some – generally singletons or conservatives – who object to this tradition, describing it as "nonsense."

Valentine’s Day is celebrated with cards, flowers and chocolates but has its roots in a 3rd century priest in Rome who performed secret marriages between young people.

Martyred by the Roman emperor Claudius II in 270 A.D. St. Valentine is honored by Christian churches every year.

However, even in Muslim, secular Turkey, young people have developed a fashion for surprise proposals on this day.

Sirin Yucel, owner of an Istanbul events company Surpriz Perisi says: “There is an incredible demand for proposals. Last year, on Valentine’s Day, we made over 30 marriage proposal organizations from morning until midnight.”

“The demand for proposals doubled this year,” Yucel adds.

The latest fad in Istanbul is to pop the question on a yacht in the middle of the Bosporus, with lasers, a fireworks show and violins playing in the background, she says.

Yucel says many proposals are made in one of Istanbul’s most iconic places – the Maiden's Tower in the Bosporus.

The island tower is decorated with hundreds of rose petals and candles and is closed off for couples. After a romantic dinner, an amazing proposal is organized with laser and fireworks.

But proposals vary according to demands.

Helicopter tours around Istanbul are another new trend with many people asking the big question in the air – weather permitting.

Mustafa, 23, who has been dating his girlfriend for 10 months, plans to propose tomorrow.

“I’ve organized a theater. At the end of the film, my proposal will appear on the screen – among many people,” he says.

“Valentine’s Day will be a very special day for me – if she says ‘yes’” he adds.

Not everyone is so organized: 14% of Turkish men and 8% of Turkish women buy their gifts last-minute on the day according to a survey by MasterCard in 2014.

Flowers – especially the ubiquitous red rose – are an important part of the day, as excited florists anticipate.

“Ten thousand flowers have been produced for Valentine’s Day in Istanbul. 5,000 of them are roses, which are irreplaceable for that day,” says Sunay Calisir, chairman of the Istanbul Chamber of Florist Artisans.

“We expect a 50 percent increase in our sales compared to other months,” Calisir adds, complaining that online alternatives have hit their business around by 50 percent.

Engagement rings – part of that first step towards marriage – are also a part of the Valentine’s Day boom for retailers.

Rings, heart-shaped or written necklaces are preferred items nowadays, says Tufan Aygut, a retail director at Istanbul-based Gulaylar Jewelry Company.

“On special days like Valentine’s Day, there is a 50 percent increase in our sales.”

Despite the attractions of Istanbul, some lovers’ choose to go overseas.

“Paris and Rome are the two choice destinations for Valentine’s Day,” says Tulay Ozkan Uzun, an international manager at Istanbul-based Café Tour. “There is an 10 percent increase in our reservations.”

According to some predictions, around 2 billion Turkish liras ($810 million) are expected to be spent on Valentine’s Day in the country.

But the last word goes to those who do not go in for fireworks, violins and helicopters rides.

“It does not mean anything to me. Do I need to express my love or to buy gifts for my lover on this day only? No,” says Mustafa, 60, a retired teacher.

“It is not a day of love; it is totally a day of money.”