By Philippe Boutros, Staff Writer -- boutros14@up.edu
Roses are red, violets are blue… think Valentine's Day sucks? The English Society does too!
On Feb. 10 at 5:30 p.m. the English Society will host its annual Anti-Valentine's Day event. Students and faculty members gather to read poetry and literary excerpts praising solitude over the time, toil and turmoil of relationships.
"We make fun of the way people focus on relationships and Valentine's Day," junior and English Society president Laura Eager said. "Nobody's ever broken down in tears, to the best of my knowledge."
The Anti-Valentine's Day celebration has been held at the St. Mary's Student Lounge since 2006, according to English professor Genevieve Brassard.
"I brought the idea with me from graduate school," Brassard wrote in an e-mail. "The English Society officers at the time embraced it."
"I certainly hope to draw around 25 people this year, in spite of people's busy schedules of classes, work and other campus events and activities," she continued.
Students and faculty bring baked goods and refreshments while celebrating Valentine's Day from a less-than-traditional perspective.
"I didn't go last year – I was out on a date," English Society treasurer and sophomore Ian Clark said. "It's people who are kind of sick with the mushy gushy Valentine's Day stereotype, and they want to ridicule it. I'm excited to go this year – I don't have a date."
Anti-Valentine's Day is said to be the English Society's most popular event. Brassard estimates the number of attending students and faculty over the years between 20 and 30. The material that is read and discussed originates from a variety of cultures – an unsurprising fact, considering the universality of the subject matter.
"I think that the Russians are the best at being lonely. Even the Russians don't like Russia. Their literature embodies the spirit of solitude. I love me some Dostoevsky," Clark said.
Bonding over break-ups may not seem like the most typical venture for a social venue, but the English Society has had a pretty successful run so far. Participants speak highly of the event, but they don't have too much fun.
"I don't know of any couples meeting at the event," Eager said.
Anti-Valentine's Day celebration today at 5:30 p.m. in St. Mary's.
