JANIRE ZURBANO ARRESE

Today, April 23th, Catalonia holds one of its most remarkable feasts: the day of Sant Jordi. This is a popular celebration that perfectly combines culture and romance. Every single Catalan buys a red rose or a book for his/her loved ones. Therefore, the International Book Day turns into a particular romantic festive day. Let’s discover how Catalans honour their patron saint.

 

  SANT JORDI’S DAY                                                                                                          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the day all Catalans were waiting for: the day of Sant Jordi, also known as the day of the Book and the Rose. Sant Jordi is the patron saint of lovers in Catalonia and they barely celebrate Valentine's Day. In this way, Catalan people follow the tradition during their patron saint’s day: men give women a red rose with an ear of corn and women give their beloved a book.

 

Thus, Catalonia and specially Barcelona become for a day a huge library-flower shop. The streets are full of people walking through stalls of books and roses, seeking their gifts not only for their loved one, but also for family or friends. The city welcomes thousands of stalls with the latest books, it hosts well-known writers and, of course, the scent of roses permeates the atmosphere. But do not get confused, because this festival not only exalts love, but also the Catalan culture and patriotism.  

 ORIGINS                                                                                                                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The origin of this feast must be looked for in a blend of traditions from different ages. On the one hand, Sant Jordi is the patron saint of Catalonia since the fifteenth century. On the other hand, we have to take into account the famous legend of Saint George and the Dragon. This legend is famous all over Europe, and many countries like England, Portugal and Greece have taken it as their own. In Catalan legend, Sant Jordi kills the dragon that frightened people and a rose is born from the blood, rose that Sant Jordi gives to the princess. According to tradition, this gift contemporary men should give their loved ones combines three features: a single flower, symbolizing exclusivity of love; the red rose, referring to passion; and the ear of corn, which means fertility.

 

In addition, there is the old medieval tradition of visiting the chapel of Sant Jordi today at the Palace of the Generalitat, where years ago you could found a fair of roses or of “lovers”, and roses were given to women as well. Finally, in 1995 UNESCO declared April 23th World Book Day. The reason? April 23th is also the day that Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare died. However, this date is not precise at all: Cervantes died in April 22nd and was buried in April 23th; and Shakespeare died on that date of the Julian calendar, which corresponds to May 3th in the Gregorian calendar.

 

 THE TRADITION                                                                                                                

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you find yourself in Catalonia and want you to join the celebration, you have to follow the tradition of the book and the rose in the first place. Both are gifts that are given between couples, but also between all the loved ones (family and friends). Thus, in Catalonia roses and books take all the streets, above all else on the Ramblas of Barcelona. During the day, writers of the most popular books, inexperienced writers too, sign their books at street stalls and bookstores.

 

But as we said, the sale of books and roses is a popular celebration where other traditions take part too: sardana Catalan dances, traditional castells, exhibitions... There usually are activities in libraries and concerts all along the streets. Furthermore, Sant Jordi's Day itself exalts Catalan culture and this is the reason why the senyera (Catalan flag) hangs from many balconies.

 

This is also the perfect day to visit the Palace of the Autonomous Government of Catalonia (the Palace of the Generalitat we mentioned before) in Barcelona during its open doors day. Once inside, you can buy roses at the many charitable stalls you will find. The activities programme of this institution also includes the official mass at the chapel of Sant Jordi and the blessing of roses in the Gothic courtyard.

 

To sum up, if you are lucky enough to be in Catalonia today, do not hesitate to join Catalan people in this special day for them, a spectacle of colours, flowers and pages that is worth visiting.