APRIL 23rd - ST GEORGE'S DAY.

Every year there's a big celebration in Catalonia (north east Spain) It's called Sant Jordi.

The Sant Jordi in on the 23rd of April and it's a celebration of the Spring.

 

In spring you will be able to take part in one of the most original celebrations in Catalonia - Sant Jordi. It is a very traditional festivity that combines culture and romanticism.

 

In Catalonia the World Book Day becomes an especially romantic festivity. The people in Catalonia celebrate the day of their patron saint, Sant Jordi, with a curious tradition

As to the legend, Saint George killed a dragon, which was about to eat the princess south of Barcelona. Out of dragon's blood a rose bush grow. Saint George gave roses of that bush to the princess.

St George's Day in Barcelona and the rest of Catalonia is also the local version of Valentine's Day, when romance sweeps all the cities and towns , and lovers swap books and roses.

Hundreds of thousands of people goes to festive markets to buy books and flowers, particularly roses, to give to their loved ones on St George's Day. These markets are held in the centre of towns and villages, particularly Barcelona. They often include other cultural and literary events, such as book signings and readings of classical Spanish or Catalonian literature.

Traditional Rose Festival honouring romantic love and chivalry has been organized in Barcelona and Catalonia since the Middle Ages. In 1932 people united the festival with local International Book Day. They thought it was suitable to do it and mark the anniversary of death of two giants of world literature Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare. They both died on the 23rd of April, 1616.

New tradition was created. Men give beautiful roses to their ladies and they give them books in return. Catalan people say "a rose for love and a book forever". Nowadays it is common that women beside roses get books too. On average four million roses and 500.000 books are sold in whole Catalonia.

Books and roses are the main symbols of St George's Day in Catalonia. A sprig of wheat is often tied to a rose with a piece of red and yellow striped ribbon. This symbolizes the Senyera, a red and yellow stripped flag. This is an ancient symbol of Catalonia and forms the modern flag of this region.

This beautiful festival of roses and books became sort of Catalonian export to the world. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) decided that the 23rd of April is World Book and Copyright Day.

 There is, indeed, nothing like Catalonia's “dia dels enamorats” anywhere else on this plane

April and springtime is one of the most pleasant times to visit Barcelona and  the Costa Brava.

The days become longer, nature is in full bloom, and the air is alive with energy.

In spring, the incredible beauty and scent of flowers, orchards and vineyards welcome visitors to the Costa Brava.  In Spring  you will enjoy st Jodi’s Day ( 23rd of April)  and also Temps de Flors in Girona a flower  Festival  ( 7-15 of May) both worth experiencing.

Enjoy the Spring in Costa Brava  , booking one of our exclusive and luxurious villas, houses and apartments (www.lujo.com)