Sant Jordi, a book and a rose…

Sant Jordi (Saint George) is Catalonia´s patron saint. On April 23rd, you will see that many streets are suddenly "covered" with book stands and roses. It is specially nice on the Ramblas, to tell you the truth. If you´re walking around the area, keep your camera ready and take some pictures of this special occasion, that can be seen only once a year!

The feast in Catalonia
Giving the women a rose and the men a book on Sant Jordi´s day is one of the most popular traditions in Catalonia. Originally, this exchange was meant to be done between lovers, but nowadays even mothers, sisters and friends receive flowers while fathers, brothers and friends get their books.

But, of course, this tradition has deeper origins that the typical exchange. According to the story (or History, who knows…), Sant Jordi became the patron of the Knights in Catalonia because of his help to King Pere (Pedro I de Aragón in Spanish) in 1094. (It is said that the King won a battle against the Musulmans after he had called upon the Saint). This feast became popular in Catalonia by middle XV century.

The local government, the "Generalitat de Catalunya", declared April 23rd as a popular feast on April 17th, 1456!!! In 1667, the Pope Clemente IX approved it officially.

The Saint and the legend
There are not many details about Saint Jordi´s life. It is known that he was from Capadocia (Turkey nowadays) and that he became a Roman Soldier. Afterwards, he became a Christian, left his military career and was prosecuted. He suffered torments and was decapitated in 303 AC.
What is really known is the legend about himself, the dragon and the princess. You may have heard some version of it, for sure. It is said that he fought a terrible dragon and rescued the princess it had as a prisoner... Sant Jordi, San Jorge or Sant George is a part of Catalan and, of course, English traditions.


The local (full) version
Apart from the King Pere version, the legend has also been related to the Barcelona Count Borell II. It is said that only nine men from Manresa mountains joined him to fight and recover the capital city... and they did it! And guess who was the main responsible for that? Of course, Saint Jordi, who appeared on a white horse an surrounded by a cloud... It is believed that he had a ray instead of a sword and he guided the Count and his nine soldiers in the fight.
To show his respect and gratitude, Count Borrell II adopted as his personal sign the red cross on a silver shield... Have you seen it around the city?

Love and books
Sant Jordi is also the Catalonian patron Saint of lovers, and in these lands, he has a far more important feast than Saint Valentine... This, of course, is related to the saving of the princess from the horrible dragon. So, on April 23rd, the boy in love gives his "princess" a rose and she gives him a book in return.
Although the origin of the giving the girls the rose is not very clear, some people say that it started at the "Fira dels Enamorats" ("Lovers Fair") that used to be celebrated in Barcelona around XV century. In those ages, all the girls that assisted to mass at the saint´s chapel (at the Palau de la Generalitat) received a rose.
The origin of the "book day" is clearer: it was originally celebrated on October 7th, according to the date of Miguel de Cervantes birth. This tradition started in 1926. It was in 1930 when this date officially changed to April 23rd, again related to Cervantes, but in this case to the date of his death.
In 1995, the UNESCO declared April 23rd as the "International day of the book and author rights". Not only Cervantes died on that day, but also William Shakespeare and in the local literary circles, Josep Pla.