Valentine’s Day in Bonn Photos for lovers at the Münster

Bonn · The Catholic Church set up a mobile photo studio in the Münsterplatz on Saturday and invited couples to have their photos taken to remember St Valentine.

Members of the Catholic Church set up a bright red mini photo studio on the Münsterplatz on Saturday. To mark Valentine’s Day on 14 February, lovers could have their photos taken in a minivan equipped with a camera. The churchmen were acting completely in the name of love: they wanted to draw attention to the origins of the festival and to get Bonners to join in a couples’ church service on Tuesday at 6pm in St Remigius Church in Brüdergasse.

“We don’t want to simply leave Valentine’s Day to the flower shops,” said Norbert Koch, who gives pastoral care to married couples in Bonn. “We are also commemorating Saint Valentine, who promoted love above cultural and social barriers.” Koch and his team have organised the mobile photo studio for nine years after getting the idea at a wedding fair.

Since then, photos of couples have been taken every year at the Münster shortly before Valentine’s Day under different themes. “Last year our campaign revolved around intercultural relationships,” explains Koch. “We have also had the theme ‘fairytales’ and ‘from the heart’.” This year’s exhibition is simply called “Love portraits.”

Within a few minutes a cluster of people had gathered round the minivan with visitors keen to have their photos taken. They could even dress up – next to the photobooth was a suitcase with colourful hats and sunglasses. The postcard size photos were then printed out and were handed out for free. The pictures will also be enlarged and can be collected from St Remigius after the couples’ church service.

Bonners liked the campaign. “It’s a really lovely idea, even though I don’t normally celebrate Valentine’s Day,” said Saad Ahmed (32). “I have been married to my wife for six years and for us every day is Valentine’s Day.” He believes a good relationship depends more on small daily events and mutual respect. Wiebke Webers and Florian Miebach, who have been together for five years, agree. “It’s also important to enjoy good experiences together,” say the couple. “Nevertheless, Valentine’s Day is a good opportunity to make time for each other. We are going to the cinema.” (Original text: Dennis Sennekamp. Translated by Kate Carey)

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