Sant Jordi Day
Sant Jordi Day (La Diada de Sant Jordi), celebrated on April 23rd in Barcelona and across Catalonia, is a beloved cultural celebration that combines romance, literature, and Catalan identity.
Often called "the Catalan Valentine’s Day," the tradition is for people to exchange gifts: men give roses, and women give books—though today, books and roses are exchanged by everyone, regardless of gender.
The city comes alive with flower stalls, bookstands, author signings, and street performances, especially along La Rambla and major plazas. It’s a day when authors meet readers, lovers walk hand-in-hand with gifts, and Barcelona feels like an open-air bookstore filled with poetry and passion.
Sant Jordi is also the patron saint of Catalonia, and the legend of him slaying a dragon to save a princess—who then gives him a rose—adds a symbolic layer to the festivities.
It’s a day where love meets literature, and where culture is celebrated with joy and pride in the heart of the city.
The Power of Presence
In an age dominated by digital interaction, the presence of authors at book events offers a powerful, human connection that transcends the page.
The art of reading—sitting still, turning pages, dwelling in silence—is increasingly at odds with the pace of modern life. Even in education, the pressure to perform and produce often overshadows the space to simply read for joy.
Why reading still matters
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
