CULTURE_Sant Jordi is HERE! Roses, Books, and Beasts 🌹📕🐉
A guide to Catalonia’s most beautiful day: the Catalans' Valentine's day
As someone deeply in love with my country, I’d dare to say that Sant Jordi is the best day of the year for any Catalan!!
It’s no longer about politics, comparisons, or conflict; it’s about tradition, culture, and love. It’s about sharing moments and small gestures with the ones you love. It’s actually about making a regular day feel special. And don’t forget, it’s still a regular working day!
Here I would like to tell you something more from the Sant Jordi day. In this post you will find:
The legend
How is that Sant Jordi has became that important for the catalan people
Insider tips to enjoy Sant Jordi as a local
Book recomendations
🌹The Legend of Sant Jordi
If you find yourself in Catalonia on April 23rd, you’ll witness a sea of red roses and bookstands. This is the feast of Sant Jordi, a day that blends medieval chivalry with a modern celebration of culture. But where does it all come from?
According to legend, a fearsome dragon once terrorized the village of Montblanc. To keep the beast from attacking the walls, the townspeople gave it two sheep every day. When the livestock ran out, they were forced to hold a sacrifice lottery among the inhabitants.
One day, the Princess’s name was drawn. As she walked toward the dragon’s lair to meet her fate, a knight in shining armor named Jordi (George) appeared on a white horse. With a swift movement of his lance, he struck down the dragon, saving the Princess and the village.
Legend says that from the spot where the dragon’s blood spilled, a rosebush with deep red flowers bloomed. Jordi plucked the most beautiful rose and offered it to the Princess as a token of his bravery.
While the rose symbolizes the legend, the tradition of giving books was added later. It coincides with the anniversary of the deaths of William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes. Today, the holiday has become a “Catalan Valentine’s Day,” where loved ones exchange roses for passion and books for eternity.
⚔️How Sant Jordi became a catalan icon
The legend of Sant Jordi is a pillar of Catalan identity. But how did a Roman soldier from the Middle East end up as the patron saint of a Mediterranean tech and lifestyle hub? It’s a fascinating journey that mix Eastern mythology, medieval bestsellers, and a very successful regional “rebranding.”
Something to be observed for our businesses too.
Here’s the roadmap of how our knight made it to Catalonia:
1. The OG Influencer: A roman soldier
Before he was a storybook hero, George was a real guy (or so the Christian tradition says).
The Origin: Born in Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey) in the 3rd century.
The Career: He was a high-ranking soldier in the Roman army under Emperor Diocletian.
The Mindset: He was martyred in 303 AD for refusing to ditch his faith. His “personal brand” became massive in the East, and eventually, the Crusaders brought his story back to Europe like a medieval souvenir.
2. The Dragon appearance: The 13th-century story
The best parts of the story: the dragon, the princess, the “hero’s journey”, didn’t actually show up until much later.
In the 13th century, Iacopo da Varazze wrote the Golden Legend, a collection of saintly biographies.
He popularized the tale of the dragon terrorizing the city of Silene in Libya. This “international version” went viral across Christendom.
3. Localizing the Legend: MONTBLANC (Catalunya)
While the original story was set in Africa, we; the Catalans: ever the entrepreneurs, decided to “localize” the setting.
According to the local version (shoutout to folklorist Joan Amades), the whole dragon showdown actually happened in Montblanc (Conca de Barberà).
This geographic pivot made the story feel personal. Even today, you can walk the walls of Montblanc where the princess supposedly waited for her rescue. You can check here the events that happen during Sant Jordi
https://www.setmanamedieval.cat/
4. Why is he the Patron Saint?
Sant Jordi’s relationship with Catalonia was actually about politics and power long before it was about roses and books:
Royal Backing: The Kings of the Crown of Aragon (like Peter the Ceremonious) were superfans. They claimed Sant Jordi personally helped Catalan armies in battle.
The Official Launch: In 1456, the Catalan Courts officially declared April 23rd a national holiday.
The Renaissance: In the 19th century, the Renaixença movement reclaimed Sant Jordi as a symbol of the struggle of good vs. evil, and the resilience of Catalan culture💪🏽.
From blood to books 💝
Today, the legend has transcended religion and war to become a celebration of culture, mindset, and love:
🌹The Rose: Legend says a rosebush sprouted from the dragon’s blood. We turned a messy battle into a symbol of love. That’s what can be called a high-vibe transformation.
📕The Book: This was added later (aligning with the deaths of Cervantes and Shakespeare) to celebrate World Book Day.
Fun Fact: Catalonia is one of the few places where this legend isn’t just a dusty old story; it’s a living, breathing holiday. We’ve managed to turn a medieval martyrdom into a civic festival of beauty and intellect.
🏇How to experience Sant Jordi like a local
Step out of your house and just walk. Every city and town in Catalonia transforms, decorated specifically for this magical day.
Buy a book and, if you’re lucky, you might find the author signing copies nearby.
While tradition suggests women receive a rose and men receive a book, don’t stick to the script!!! Buy a book for the women in your life too! Everyone loves a good story 💝
Look for the special "Pa de Sant Jordi" in local bakeries. It’s a savory bread made with cheese and sobrasada (forming the four red stripes of the Catalan flag). To be honest, it looks even better than it tastes, but it’s a delicious tradition you have to try at least once!
While Barcelona is the capital, enjoying Sant Jordi in a smaller town can be even more charming. You’ll avoid the massive crowds (or "collapse") of the city center while still soaking up the festive atmosphere that reaches every corner of the country.
If you want to make sure you get a specific title, consider buying it a day early or just after the 23rd. Most bookstores offer a discount for Sant Jordi, and these deals often last for a few days.
Whatever you do, please purchase locally. Buying a book on Amazon for Sant Jordi is like ordering "organic seeds" from halfway across the world when you have a local nursery next door. Support your neighborhood bookshops!
📖My Sant Jordi book recommendation
I dare to recommend you some of my favourite books, that I think everyone should read to have a wider perspective of the world.
If you are interested in personal growth:
JOE DISPENZA_Breaking the habit of being yourself
This book helped me see life from a new perspective. It’s true that I was in a tough place mentally at the time, but it gave me powerful tools to view my reality through a different lens. It truly changed the way I think🫀
MARTA ORRIOLS_Aprendre a parlar amb les plantes (“Learning to talk to plants”)
It's a great option if you’re interested in contemporary Catalan literature. I read it a while ago, but I still love it. In fact, I did a book club with some friends, and I still remember how powerful everyone's reflections were.
The book it’s about grief, but above all, about personal reconstruction. The protagonist is forced to re-examine her reality following a traumatic loss. When I read it, I could totally relate to the main character's situation. It was a great exercise in empathy and taught me to see things with fresh eyes.
AMY SUITER CLARKE_Girl, 11
Such suspense! I loved the writing style, blending the podcast scripts with the character’s personal life. The final plot twist was totally worth it! 🤩
Let me know what other traditions or cultural events you know from your city