Today I learned a little about Sant Jordi, on his special day here in Barcelona. In a funny little coincidence, the patron saint of my new home is the same as the patron saint of my old home, yet our celebrations couldn’t be more different. In England I never paid much attention to St George’s Day – it usually just meant a few extra flags waving, extra email newsletters and perhaps some St George cross cakes in the supermarket. It passed me by with not much of a murmur.

Here in Barcelona I stepped out of my front door bright and early to see people setting up stalls in my square.
There are often things happening in the square so I didn’t think too much of it. As I headed downtown to meet a blogger friend for coffee I noticed a few men looking purposeful with roses and more and more stalls selling flowers or books popping up by the side of the road.

It turns out that Sant Jordi (as Good Old George is known over here) is a part of Catalunyan culture too. The day is celebrated with women receiving a rose - some of which can be seen wrapped in cellophane stamped with the flag of Catalunya – and the men receiving a book. There is a fun festival atmosphere in the city, especially at the flower market where the queue for roses is 10 deep.

The rose tradition comes directly from the St George legend, where the blood of the slayed dragon sprouted forth a red rose. The book tradition is a little earlier, started by Spanish booksellers in the 1920’s to commemorate the death of Miguel De Cervantes. Later in the 90’s UNESCO started the World Book Day project to honour both Cervantes and Shakespeare, who also died on 23^rd April.  Here in Barcelona there are stalls in the streets everywhere you look, and author signings all over the city.

All this adds up to a day that celebrates life and learning, books and flowers - two of my favourite things. And a day where the city feels happy and alive and in love. It's a real pleasure to be a part of it.