Can you imagine a city filled with roses and books, where the people go out for a walk and enjoy the Book Day and love? That’s what Barcelona is today on Sant Jordi, its most romantic festival. 

Strolling through the city when the weather is fine, seeing smiling people and couples exchanging roses and books (and the occasional kiss), smelling the flowers, meeting favourite authors …

Sant Jordi is a day when the scent of roses and literature come together. There is one day every year when travellers and visitors to Barcelona feel like they are on another planet. A planet of good vibes. This is a day when Barcelona is filled with a different atmosphere and it seems that everybody heads to the streets. If it were the other way round and it was an alien who came to visit Barcelona on April 23, his report would read something like this:

„A planet heavily populated by earthlings walking around with flowers and smiles on their faces, while others sit in little huts decked out with flags and scribble strange signs in books.“

The Book and Rose Day is arguably the Barcelonians’ most cherished day.

History:

Sant Jordi (Saint George) is the patron saint of Catalonia, and on his feast day the Catalans celebrate two major universal themes: Love and Culture. Sounds good right from the start, doesn’t it? LOVE and CULTURE. Just imagine!

Since the 15th century, men have given a rose to their loved one. And by the look of all the roses you will see in the streets, there are thousands of people in love in Barcelona! In 1930 the custom of giving a book to mark Book Day was introduced as part of the Sant Jordi celebrations.