Celebrate Sant Jordi in Barcelona!

What do you have in your diaries for 23 April? Nothing in particular? Well, we might have a good idea for you!

In Catalonia, and in vibrant Barcelona in particular, it’s a day of celebration. Tradition has it that the city’s patron saint, Sant Jordi, is celebrated against a backdrop of red roses and endless pages of literature.

The promise of a real feast for the eyes and a generous dose of balm for the heart in just 1 day.

What is Sant Jordi?

Sant Jordi is a civic, popular and traditional festival celebrated every year on 23 April in Barcelona and throughout Catalonia. It’s an opportunity for thousands of citizens to celebrate their patron saint with joy and good humour, even though the date is not a public holiday.

In addition to its religious character, the festival has the particularity (and above all the charm) of bringing together two great universal themes: culture and love. For the simple reason that since the 15th century, 23 April has been known as Lovers’ Day, and since 1995 as World Book and Copyright Day, chosen by UNESCO.

It’s a very interesting pairing that has given rise to a strong custom that has been perpetuated ever since. In the Middle Ages, during the first years of Sant Jordi, men were obliged to give their beloved a red rose. But since the 1920s, the rule has changed somewhat. Today, the flower is free to be any colour other than red, or even multicoloured. And it is accompanied by a work of literature, whatever it may be.

Traditionally, men received the book and women the rose. But here again, time has taken its toll, and today it’s not uncommon to see a gender-neutral exchange. In a couple as well as in a friendly or family relationship… The aim is to give pleasure to those we love!

The origins of Sant Jordi

It’s impossible for us to talk about Sant Jordi without telling you a little about how the story behind all the excitement began.

Apart from the fact that 23 April is Lovers’ Day and International Book Day, as mentioned above, it is first and foremost the date on which Saint George of Cappadocia, alias Sant Jordi, died in 303.

Sant Jordi is the patron saint of Catalonia and Aragon in Spain, but not only there. In England, Bulgaria, Greece and Portugal, he also occupies an important place. His story is the same the world over, as is the legend to which he is linked. Rather than being a saint, the man is said to be a hero.

According to the story, it was he who brought down the ferocious dragon that forced the inhabitants of the village of Montblanc to sacrifice their livestock and the life of their princess to save their own. From the blood of the fiery monster sprang a rose whose flowers were an exceptional red. Sant Jordi, triumphant, offered one to the beautiful princess.

This story and the ancient medieval custom of the rose fair at the chapel of Sant Jordi, in the Palau de la Generalitat, have given life to this unique moment of celebration and tradition held every 23 April.

The Sant Jordi programme in Barcelona

On 23 April, the festival of Sant Jordi, Barcelona is transformed into a gigantic open-air bookshop and flower shop. Locals and visitors alike wander the streets, from stall to stall, looking for roses and books to give to their loved ones.

It’s an ideal day to treat yourself, take a stroll and enjoy the festive atmosphere thanks to the various activities and events organised for the occasion. The most coveted of these are the book-signing sessions held by the authors in the street or in the bookshops. The great popularity of some of the authors means that there are long queues around the stands.

There are also public recitals and writing workshops all over the city, for young and old alike.

Being in Barcelona during Sant Jordi is also an opportunity to (re)discover the city’s must-see monuments and buildings in a different light. City Hall, the Palau Güell, the modernist site of Sant Pau, the Ateneu, Casa Batlló and the Palau de la Generalitat are just some of the sites where special activities or open days with free visits are being held.

Finally, for those who really want to feel the pulse of the festivities, there are sardana (traditional Catalan dance) performances on the Plaça Sant Jaume in the early afternoon. And impressive ‘castells’ (human towers) are also being erected here and there.

Highlights of Sant Jordi in Barcelona

To make the most of the charm of this very special day, we’ve decided to share with you the places and addresses where you absolutely must stop off in Barcelona. But be warned: Sant Jordi is one of Catalonia’s most important fiestas, so there’s a good chance you’ll have to queue up and take in a few crowds along the way. The festivities take place all day long and don’t really have fixed times. So keep your wits about you and you’ll see that everything will go off like clockwork!

• La Rambla and Plaça Reial are best visited in the morning, if possible (central hub of flower and book stalls, plus a variety of activities)
• Plaça de Catalunya
• Passeig de Gràcia
• Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia
• Casa Batlló (to see the representation of the legend of Sant Jordi fighting the dragon, the origin of the festival)

Other places of interest included in the open days:

• Palau Güell
• Barcelona City Hall
• Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau
• Ateneu Barcelonés
• National Library of Catalonia

Conclusion

A festival, a show, a popular tradition, Sant Jordi is a great opportunity to have fun, exchange ideas and enrich yourself both humanly and culturally in Barcelona or anywhere else in Catalonia. Make sure you bring your camera, because there will be plenty of opportunities to capture pure moments of life and pleasure. And there’ll be plenty of love to give and receive!