Sant Jordi takes place every year April 23 and is the equivalent of Valentine's Day throughout Catalonia.
It's a very pleasant day when the city fills with flowers and books.
Everyone is walking around with beautiful red and white roses and the latest literary novelty...
You can buy them all over town at small stands set up for the occasion.
And it's Book Day. All the bookshops are open and offering a great selection of works to (re)discover...
And then April 23 has a touch of spring about it... It's already starting to get really nice...
And the locals are particularly smiling. It's a day of sharing!
Don't miss this wonderful day, when Barcelona also organizes a host of activities!
But Sant Jordi: who is he?
Sant Jordi means St. George!
And Saint-Georges is the patron saint of Catalonia since 1456.
Celebrated in the region, it was this valiant knight who, according to legend.., saved the princess from death at the hands of a terrifying dragon. Indeed, in this kingdom, one inhabitant was sacrificed every year. And that person was chosen by lot. But when the princess was chosen, Saint-Georges summoned all his courage to confront the dragon.
When he killed the beast, a rose bush grew where the dragon's blood had flowed.
And nowadays, according to tradition, today, men give roses to their sweethearts. The tradition of books came later...
The equivalent of Valentine's Day? Yes, but no...
While Valentine's Day is for lovers only, Sant Jordi is for lovers only. for everyone. The idea is that there should be sharing and that the tradition should not be set in stone... In a modern city like Barcelona, it's clear that women can be given books and men roses.
We also offer to those we love in the broadest sense of the word: family, friends, colleagues... And not just one person!
You could receive gifts all day long, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're in love...
Where can I buy roses?
The town is invaded by small flower stalls.
You're more likely to find them on major thoroughfares such as the Ramblas, Plaça Catalunya or Passeig de Gracià... but even in more remote areas, you'll have no trouble finding one...
In general, roses are packed with the motifs of the Catalan flag.
Sant Jordi is a Catalan festival
Sant Jordi is not celebrated throughout Spain, but mainly in Catalonia.
And the books on offer are usually in Catalan.
And behind it all, it's also a day when Catalonia, its culture and its identity are in the spotlight.
What activities are organized?
Every year, Barcelona City Hall organizes a number of parallel activities. For several years now, the city's town hall, usually closed to the public, has been open to visitors, but libraries and bookshops also organize events that are listed on the city's official website : https://www.barcelona.cat/
But on that day, my advice is to take a stroll and enjoy the city and its sights. its festive atmosphere.
The superb Battlo mansion, designed by Gaudi, is adorned with red roses on its balconies. The contrast with the blue of its mosaics... A nice nod to Saint-Georges, depicted on the front of the house.
Other landmarks such as the Park Güellhouses Gaudi... organize activities on this festive day... Find out more because it changes every year!
On every street corner, you'll find flower stalls, book stalls... If you're lucky, you'll also be able to see castells. These are human towers that can be many storeys high. A tour de force of which the Catalans are proud!
Literature in the spotlight
As books are given away, it's the perfect day to stroll around town and discover all the new releases in your favorite bookshops. Writers, booksellers and lovers stroll through the city's various bookshops.
International Book Day
Declared by theUnesco in 1996 Like International Book Day, April 23 is an important literary day. Apparently, this date was chosen because April 23 would be the death dates of William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes.
And there are French bookshops too!
I recommend Jaimes bookshop, the French-language bookshop located a fifteen-minute walk from the Plaça de Catalunya - Carrer València, 318 (https://www.jaimes.cat/). The bookshop is well-stocked and the sales staff are connoisseurs.
What to do in Barcelona with your partner
As I said earlier, Sant Jordi isn't just for lovers, and you'll love strolling through the streets to enjoy the special local atmosphere of this day...
But if you're looking for a bit of peace and quiet for a romantic stroll, there are a few places that are particularly suitable.
I recommend starting from from the Place d'Espagne to the Botanical Gardens, then explore the gardens and terraces near the Miro Foundation. You can also visit the Greek Theatre with spectacular views.
A wonderful place to stroll hand in hand.
There are few crowds in these places, and you'll be charmed by the natural beauty of the city's hills.
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