Festival of the Kiss

On the Saturday, following Valentine’s Day in the little town of Roquemaure, in the South of France, is held “Lo FESTO DE POUTOUN" “La Fete du Baiser” The Festival of the Kiss. In honor of Saint Valentine who, according to the locals, was native from the town. In 1868 his relics were brought back to the town in order to help with the fight against a stubborn plight of the local Vine stocks. In those times, local people, in their common wisdom, decided to rely to a higher level of lobbying to a higher authority than to rely on government subsidy. The ploy worked and within a couple of years, the vineyards were back in a robust health.

France being France and Roquemaure being Roquemaure the locals decided that a commemoration and expression of gratitude was in order. With a very strict Gallic Logic, they concluded that 1) St. Valentine was the patron of the lovers and 2) the arrival of his relics being, no doubt, the cure to the stubborn vine plight that was robbing them of their Raison de Vivre the celebration should address those two.

Therefore, since those days, every Saturday following the Saint Valentine men and women of the village dress in costume of 1868 and hold a Festival during which the relics of St Valentine are paraded around town they occasionally, kiss each other’s (and visitors as well) and consume sizeable amount of a darn good little wine produced for that specific purpose. Sacrilegious would you say? No! Those good people are fully aware that God as a good sense of humor and that celebration of the juice of the wine coupled with demonstration of affection is a great way of celebrating Life and the Creator of it!

Therefore, my wish for you this Saturday does not necessarily include period clothing but a suggestion to raise a glass and show affection to the people around you. That would make for a good day and an improvement of life in your surrounding! Off course if you are a tea toddler who cares what is in your glass? What really counts is what is in your heart!