After two years of pandemic, it is expected that this year’s celebrations will go normally. Proof of this is the commemoration of the Diada de Sant Jordi this Saturday, April 23 in Catalonia, which will be celebrated without restrictions. At the same time, the celebration of the Day of the Book also takes place worldwide, so it will be a day in which, of course, reading will reign.

The legend of Sant Jordi

Sant Jordi is the patron saint of Catalonia and his death is commemorated every April 23rd. The legend tells the story of a dragon that frightened the inhabitants of Montblanc, a village in the province of Tarragona. In order to reduce his anger, the villagers decided to offer him the life of a person every day, with the bad luck that on one occasion the chosen one was the king’s daughter. When the dragon was about to eat her, the knight Sant Jordi appeared and killed the dragon with his lance. From the blood of the dragon sprouted a rose bush, so it is tradition to give a rose to a loved one.

How is it celebrated?

To this tradition is added the World Book Day, therefore it is typical to exchange books and roses in Catalonia. One of the most representative points of this day has always been the center of Barcelona, where booksellers and florists set up their stands so people can buy both books and roses. This year, the city of Barcelona premieres a “super literary island”, formed by booksellers and florists who will have their stands on the Paseo de Gracia and by the various associations and organizations that will be present in the Rambla de Catalunya. On the Paseo de Gracia it is common to see the authors of the latest books that have been released on the market. The authors sign their books, which is an opportunity for authors and readers to meet each other.

Sant Jordi in Tarragona

The Eurosalou & Spa Hotel, ideal for couples and families, is located in Salou, just 15 minutes drive from the city of Tarragona. This year 119 book stands will be on the Rambla Nova from 9am to 8pm and then the castellers of Tarragona will make their iconic human towers, among other activities throughout the day. Also, 30 minutes away by car, is Montblanc, the village of the legend of Sant Jordi and where the Semana Medieval de Montblanc is celebrated to commemorate the knight. The program of the festival includes interesting activities such as the medieval market, the exhibition of crafts or the representation of the legend itself. If you are going to be around there, you may want to read the article Routes to disconnect near Tarragona, in which we talk about Montblanc and places of interest near the area.

STAY AT THE EUROSALOU & SPA HOTEL!

World Book Day

As mentioned before, April 23rd is also World Book Day and, moreover, World Copyright Day. The UNESCO General Conference proclaimed this holiday in 1995. The date was chosen because on the same day in 1616 three emblematic authors died: Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare and Garcilaso de la Vega.

At The Palm Experience Hotels, we join the celebration and encourage you to give a book as a gift to a loved one or even to yourself because the important thing is to keep reading alive.

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