St. George’s Day! (Es San Jordi!)
JordiHey guys! Here’s something for all the romatic ones out there! Love is in the air!
First of all, I wanted to introduce this subject because… I’m called ‘Jordi’ myself! So April 23rd is my name day. And here we have Alex to tell you a bit about this nice festivitie that everybody in Barcelona celebrates each year:
Hi! I’m Alex and the ”new one” working at the reception 
As it’s just my second week I can’t give so many hot tips where to go out, eat, etc. but as you may have already noticed, I’m presenting you the daily activities, and tomorrow we have a special one, because it is St. Jordi’s Day!
As all of you probably know, other countries have their “ordinary” St. Valentine’s Day, but Catalonia has its own famous Day of ‘St. Jordi’, don’t miss it! If you thought that on the 14th of February the people are getting crazy about buying gifts and roses, then you’ve never been to Barcelona at the end of April…
In many eastern cultures St. George is celebrated in a certain way, but nowhere it has such a unique character as in Barcelona. For that reason the 23rd of April can be considered as one of the most important and popular holidays in Catalonia.
The tradition about the exchange of gifts says that men should offer their girlfriends roses and on the other side, girls should give their “novios” a book in return. The rose-part seems quite obvious if we think that it deals about a couple’s day, but the presenting of books is a way to honor the work of Miguel Cervantes (author of the famous novel “Don Quijote de la Mancha”) who actually died on that same day, April 23rd 1616. 
If one of you guys wants to give a flower to a girl you should be sure that she really wants a rose because… who said that we girls don’t want a book??? Come on! Why not break with the old tradition! (…and girls, why not give him a rose
The main action takes place on the Ramblas where hundreds of stands with roses and bookstalls are installed. It seems that almost all Spanish florists come to Barcelona to sell their roses, everything is full of colours. You can furthermore listen to book readings, get a book signed by famous Spanish authors or watch the big variety of musicians and street artists.
Even if you’re not in love or don’t have a “novia” or a “novio”, I’m sure you will enjoy all the other things to do and see around the main scenes.
Anyway, if you are lucky enough to be one of our students and want to know something more about this very popular Catalan tradition, you should participate on Wednesday in our walk through the centre to experience the special authentical atmosphere on Saint Jordi’s Day. Our meeting point is the school at 2:45 pm! Join us!
See you,
Alex
