The day of the book
For many people in Barcelona, Sant Jordi is one of the best days in the year. Many streets turn into open-air bookshops and people queue to get books signed by their favourite authors, who move around the city, following their publisher’s schedule.
Click through to the City Council website to get news of all the events scheduled for Sunday 23 April.
The legend of Sant Jordi
The story is told that many years ago a dragon was threatening the lives of the people in the Catalan village of Montblanc and killing their livestock. To appease the dragon, the townfolk decided to offer the dragon one inhabitant each day, selected randomly.
One day the King’s daughter was chosen to be sacrificed. Before the dragon could take her, a brave young knight, stepped up and challenged the dragon, slaying it with his lance.
A bush of red roses appeared where the dragon’s blood fell, and the legend of Sant Jordi’s bravery was born.
The tradition
On the day of Sant Jordi people give books and roses to their loved ones. More books are sold on Sant Jordi than at any other time of the year and it is reported that 6 million roses will be on sale.
City of Literature
Barcelona was recognised by UNESCO as a City of Literature and many events are organised around the day of the book.
In the spirit of Sant Jordi, here is a collection of books that are connected with Barcelona.
- Non-fiction
- Homage to Barcelona – Colm Tobim
- Homage to Catalonia – George Orwell
- Barcelona – Robert Hughes
Barcelona Architecture
Barcelona Sketchbook: Homage to Catalan Architecture
The Sagrada Familia: The astonishing story of Gaudi’s Unfinished Masterpiece
- Fiction set in Barcelona
- Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafon (Part one of a trilogy)
- City of Wonders – Eduardo Mendoza
- Origin – Dan Brown
Barcelona Cooking
A Taste of Barcelona: The History of Catalan Cooking and Eating
