The Police Department has banned the celebration of Valentine's Day in cafes and juice shops, stating that businesses are not allowed to advertise or sell items related to this holiday. The official website of the Tehran Union of Juice, Ice Cream, and Cafes reported on Wednesday, February 10, that this prohibition was communicated through a directive to this sector. The subject of this directive is 'countering the promotion of the degenerate Western culture known as Valentine's Day,' and the union has requested that cafe and juice shop owners comply with its provisions. Based on this directive, businesses are prohibited from 'advertising and selling goods with the name and symbols' of Valentine's Day and are asked to prevent gatherings of girls and boys in their establishments on this day. The union has also added that symbols such as dolls, flowers, and chocolates should not be exchanged between girls and boys in cafes and juice shops. The Tehran Union of Juice, Ice Cream, and Cafes has warned that the 'consequences' of violating the Police Department's directive 'are the responsibility of the individual and the business.' Valentine's Day, which is celebrated annually on February 14, has attracted the attention of the Iranian public for over 15 years. The customs of this day, which include giving dolls, chocolates, cards, or decorative boxes as a sign of 'love' between partners, have faced opposition from cultural, supervisory, and law enforcement bodies in Iran. These organizations issue various threatening notices and directives every year ahead of Valentine's Day (approximately February 14) to prevent its celebration. However, despite this, celebrations related to this day are still held by interested girls and boys in cafes and other public places even in cities like Qom and Mashhad. The import of items related to Valentine's Day has been banned since 2012 based on a resolution by the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council, yet these items can still be easily found in many large shopping centers.
Police Department: Giving Flowers, Chocolates, and Valentine's Dolls is Prohibited
The Iranian Police Department has issued a directive banning the celebration of Valentine's Day in public places, prohibiting the exchange of gifts like flowers and chocolates. This reflects ongoing tensions between cultural authorities and the public's interest in Western traditions. The ban highlights the struggle over cultural identity in Iran.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Iranian Police Department has issued a ban on the celebration of Valentine's Day in public venues, prohibiting the sale and advertisement of related items like flowers and chocolates. This directive aims to counter what authorities describe as the promotion of 'degenerate Western culture.'
- The ban includes prohibiting gatherings of boys and girls in cafes and juice shops.
- Valentine's Day celebrations have been met with resistance from cultural authorities for over 15 years.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Valentine's Day has become a symbol of Western culture in Iran, facing opposition from authorities who seek to promote traditional Iranian values. Despite bans, many young people continue to celebrate the holiday.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%