The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed a harsh lockdown on the Lebanese just as Valentine's Day approaches, making it the first holiday they experience under such restrictions during the pandemic, likely bringing new traditions related to the virus.
Family members who have not been able to meet for a long time during the lockdown have come up with new ideas. Mothers have started preparing sweets and dishes that their children love, who then pass by to pick them up from the doorstep. Meanwhile, grandchildren are recording song messages with their voices to send directly to their grandparents as a form of greeting.
Petros, a truck driver, plans to enjoy the evening with his wife on their open rooftop, where she will prepare a selection of Lebanese mezze dishes for them. He says in an interview, "We will celebrate a simple Valentine's Day together so that this occasion does not fade from our married life. Next March, we will celebrate our twentieth wedding anniversary. We will also have a video call with our children abroad to complete our joy."
It is noted that the lockdown measures in Lebanon exempted certain shops, including flower shops, which only operate through delivery service. However, prices are not affordable for everyone; for instance, a "red teddy bear" is currently sold at 800,000 Lebanese pounds, which is a steep price given the dire economic conditions. The only gift that has stood out in the context of the pandemic is the Chinese vaccine against COVID-19. Offering it as a gift to close ones, carried back from travel, has become one of the most significant and valuable gifts for this occasion. Head of the Parliamentary Health Committee, Assem Araji, mentions that the Chinese vaccine can be easily transported from one country to another, thanks to its storage requirements of between 2 and 8 degrees.
As for television channels, they have adjusted their weekly programming with topics related to the occasion. Shows like "Lahoun w Bas," "Al-Muwajaha," and "Fi Mayl" on LBCI, as well as "A Gheer Kawkab" on MTV, invite well-known artists to perform their romantic songs.
