Sant Jordi — Catalonia's Day of Love
April 23 · Level 5 · #1195 of 2238
In Catalonia, Sant Jordi brings romance and reading together. Saint George's Day is especially associated with this part of Spain, where books and roses fill the streets and become gifts of affection.
How it is celebrated: booksellers and flower stalls move outdoors, authors sign copies, and people browse for presents. Partners, friends and relatives exchange roses and books, making a walk through town part literary outing, part celebration of love.
The rose has a dragon in its backstory. According to the legend of Saint George, a rosebush grew from the blood of the dragon he defeated.