The 23rd of April is a busy day in Barcelona. During the spring festival day of Sant Jordi, gifts are exchanged between sweethearts – men give roses to women, and women give a book to men as a present.
This day is also known as “Dia del Llibre” (Book Day). The crowded streets full of people gathering around stalls selling books and flowers from the early hours of the morning that spring up overnight has turned the 23rd of April into the fondest, most shared and celebrated day for all Catalans.
The day marks when St George bravely slew the horrible dragon to liberate a princess. The blood spilt from the dragon grew into a rose that Jordi gave to the rescued princess and has been Catalonia’s own form of Valentine’s Day since the Middle Ages, when red-blooded Catalan men prove their love by presenting their sweet hearts with red roses.
Come to Barcelona on the 23rd of April and join in the transformation of Barcelona into a city of celebration.
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