On April 23, Catalonia is celebrating. If Sant Jordi (Saint Georges) is reminiscent of a sort of Catalan Valentine’s Day, with exchanges of roses and books, the festivities are not just a romantic one-on-one. This date, which also celebrates the Catalan language and traditions, has even become World Book Day. In the streets of big cities, like on the Ramblas of Barcelona, there are crowds. And you have to be agile to navigate between booksellers and sellers of roses.

A rose and a book

Riddle: where in the world does love rhyme with culture? Answer: Catalonia, of course! From Barcelona to Perpignan, you don’t need chocolate hearts to declare your flame. On April 23, the feast of Sant Jordi, the Catalans bring out the big game. On this day, men must offer a rose to the woman they love (until then, nothing very original), and in exchange, women give a book to men. A Catalan Valentine’s Day, in a way, but where the commercial aspect does not take precedence over the festive momentum. Because April 23 is not only the day of lovers. Since 1995, Unesco has also declared it “World Book and Copyright Day”. But above all, April 23 pays tribute to the legend of Sant Jordi, whose origin dates back to the dawn of time.

Saint George and the dragon

According to legend, Sant Jordi (alias Saint-Georges) would have saved a princess from the clutches of a terrible dragon which spread terror in the region. According to certain versions, from the blood of the dragon came out a bouquet of red roses which George handed to the princess. Hence the tradition, which dates back to the Middle Ages, of offering roses, to which a fair was then devoted around Sant Jordi.

Beyond the legend, Saint-Georges did indeed exist in the 3rd century and was martyred for having resisted the emperor Diocletian. This act of bravery earned him a cult in the Christian world and in Catalonia, of which he became the patron in the 15th century. In the second half of the 19th century, Sant Jordi became a symbol of Catalan identity and then, in 1930, a literary celebration commemorating the Catalan language and culture.

Sant Jordi indeed coincides with the anniversary of the death of two literary geniuses, Shakespeare and Cervantes, both of whom died on April 23, 1616.

Catalan language and traditions in celebration

And this tradition remains alive today. You just have to stroll on the Ramblas of Barcelona on April 23 to realize this. Here, rose sellers rub shoulders with bookstores, and the competition is fierce. Difficult to take a step without being assailed from all sides. And, to earn a few euros, everyone can become a florist for a day. It is also an opportunity for Catalan authors of the moment to make themselves known, and to launch their books. Hence these mountains of books, signed one after the other.

Sant Jordi is also seen by many Catalans as a way to support their language and culture. Because on April 23, the books sold are more works written in Catalan than in Castilian. Traditionally, on the Catalonia square in Barcelona, activities are also organized to promote the use of this language. Other cities are renowned for their particularly festive atmosphere during this day. In Montblanc, a small city of 6,200 inhabitants located west of Barcelona, the festival is in full swing for a week. The city, declared a historic monument because of its many medieval buildings, takes a step back in time and takes on medieval colors. It would have been the scene of the legend of Sant Jordi, and on this occasion, from April 20 to 29, 2007, the legend is revisited and staged, in an atmosphere worthy of the greatest epic poems. Jugglers, knights, troubadours everyone is partying in Montblanc.

World Book Day

Sant Jordi is not just a simple exchange of roses and books between lovers. This date also commemorates the death of two of the world’s greatest writers, Cervantes and Shakespeare, who both died on April 23, 1616. This is why, in 1995, Unesco declared this date “World Book and Rights Day” of authors”. Because the omnipresent Saint Georges is, moreover, patron of the booksellers. An opportunity taken up in France by independent bookstores to launch their “independent bookstore party” and attempt on this occasion to denounce the commodification of books. In general, this festival takes place on the Saturday closest to Saint-Georges: it will take place this year on April 28. So, whether you are in France or Catalonia, in love with books or roses, do not fail to honor Sant Jordi and¡Viva Catalunya.

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