While I was in Barcelona I learned about a celebration called “St. Jordi’s Day” or “The Day of Books and Roses” in which St. Jordi as well as World Book Day are celebrated. In Catalonia, the region of Spain in which Barcelona resides, this holiday is held to honor the legend of St. Jordi, the patron saint of Catalonia. In the legend, Sant Jordi is tasked with killing a dragon in order to save a princess and from the blood of a dragon a rose bush grows. In addition to honoring this legend, the holiday also coincides with World Book Day and is a celebration of Catalonian and worldwide literature.

The Day of Books and Roses is similar to Saint Valentine’s Day and typically involves a couple exchanging gifts. Traditionally, men would give women roses, and women would give men books, but in modern times, both genders are free to give and receive both of the gifts. I was lucky enough to be able to witness the St. Jordi’s Day celebrations while I was in Barcelona. Overnight the city was transformed with buildings covered in roses and street vendors lining the roads selling roses and books. In Placa Catalunya, one of the main squares in Barcelona, there were authors giving talks and signing books. Although this was not a holiday that people traditionally have off work, there were thousands of people in the main square and the streets surrounding it, buying gifts for friends and family. It was a truly beautiful celebration and I am so glad that I was able to experience this part of Catalonian culture.

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Learn more about this blogger’s study abroad program: IES Abroad: Political Science and International Relations in Barcelona