Everything Your Heart Desires: Celebrating with InterNations

By Elena Born

Although February is the shortest month of the year, there is a lot happening in those four weeks and, believe it or not, not all of it has to do with Valentine’s Day. So no matter if you like to wear costumes, celebrate love, or welcome the Year of the Dog, we offer everything your heart desires this month. Let us show you how our communities around the world celebrated Valentine’s Day, Carnival, and the Chinese New Year.

Love (& Friendship) Is in the Air

Our communities in London and Rotterdam started the Valentine’s Day celebration very early on Friday, 2 February.

The London Ambassadors Anna and Nuria were excited that their first event would be all about friendship and love. Between fabulous music and the fantastic atmosphere at Club No. 41, members of the London Community enjoyed making new friends and seeing familiar faces.

InterNations Rotterdam had a somewhat different approach. For all singles (and those who think Valentine’s Day is extremely over-rated), the community hosted an Anti-Valentine’s Evening, with an all-black dress code. This wasn’t an event for feeling sad and lonely though: guests had a great time enjoying top-shelf drinks, the fantastic atmosphere at the venue, and the company of their favorite global minds.

Another Anti-Valentine’s Day Event took place in Brussels on Wednesday, 14 February. For all those who do not support the “greeting card holiday” aspect of this day, it was an opportunity to dance and celebrate the love and respect they have for each other every day.

The Valentine’s Social in Barcelona took our members to Le Pop Cocktail Bar. The stunning location boasts a vintage savoir vivre and is located in the heart of the city. It was the perfect place for new friendships to blossom and fun to be had.

The Mexico City Bike Lovers Group attended a 25k Valentine’s Night Bike Ride in order to celebrate their true love: cycling. The tour of the city was a great way to spend the “holiday” and enjoy the outdoors.

A Love Day Celebration was on the menu for the Dubai Culture Round Table Group. Its members enjoyed continental cuisine, a friendly atmosphere, and the opportunity to dance and sing along with a live band.

From Mardi Gras to Masquerades

Carnival is a holiday which is celebrated very differently depending on where you are in the world, but what all traditions have in common is the pure joy of the celebration and the preference for silly costumes.

This also includes the beads and colorful hats worn by some of our guests at the Houston event. For Mardi Gras, the community headed back to South Bank Seafood Bar at the edge of Downtown Houston, to enjoy the great food, the view of the city, and the Carnival celebration.

The Sofia community took a more traditional route and hosted a classy masquerade party. Amidst music, drinks, and fun, guests enjoyed each other’s company and showed off the masks they donned for the occasion, one more elaborate than the other.

Of course, you cannot mention Carnival without talking about Brazil! Members of the Brasilia Outdoor & Sports Group allowed themselves to be swept away by the celebration in the country’s capital. The Galinho de Brasilia was created in 1992 and is a huge highlight of the year.

Welcome the Year of the Dog

Our community in Manila got together at the New World Makati Hotel to celebrate the Lunar New Year, and guests could participate in a raffle or win a prize for the best Chinese outfit. However, even those who didn’t feel like dressing up enjoyed the great atmosphere among global minds.

The Milan Language Exchange Group joined the Chinese community in their city for the traditional parade. Between colorful paper dragons and traditional music, group members welcomed the Year of the Dog.

Sad that you missed the Chinese New Year? There is no need to worry! We still have some celebrations coming up this month, including those in San Diego and San Francisco on Friday, 23 February, as well as the get-together of the Singapore Chinese Professionals Group on Wednesday, 28 February. Why don’t you come along and join us?

About Elena Born

Elena Born studied in Tübingen and Salem, Oregon, and has been working in the Content & Communications Department of InterNations since 2010.

Article Topics

Culture & Traditions

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