Flower market flourishes as Ethiopians celebrate Valentine's Day

Flower market flourished in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa as the east African country celebrated Valentine's Day with great warmth on Tuesday.

Flower stores, gift shops, hotels, and restaurants were busy treating couples with special treatment in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa in connection to the Valentine's Day, a day celebrated every year on February 14 to cherish love and long-term relationships.

Majority of local media also gave a special coverage for the day. Romantic songs and programs that celebrate love and long-term relationships were part of the media coverage for the Valentine's Day on Tuesday.

Giving flower to the loved ones is one way of celebrating the Valentine's Day that is enjoyed by majority Ethiopians in the capital.

Makeda Abebe, flower vendor in Addis Ababa, said that flower market is at its boom every February 14.

"Most of them are buying flowers to express a unique and romantic message to let their lovers know how much they mean to them," she said.

"Valentine's Day, like in any other western world, can be used in Ethiopia to take advantage of the shared culture and build a business that will support the country and its people," she said.

"It's amazing that I have one full day to celebrate my love," said a young man who was buying a flower as a present to his fiancée.

Many foreigners have also enjoyed the day in Ethiopia. A Chinese man, while buying flowers in the streets of Addis Ababa, said celebrating Valentine's Day in Ethiopia's is "a new experience". Endit