Diada de Sant Jordi

( Saint George's Day in Catalonia )

Description

Saint George's Day (Catalan: Diada de Sant Jordi), also known as the Day of Books and Roses (Dia del Llibre i de la Rosa), is celebrated annually in Catalonia (Spain) on 23 April. Saint George (Catalan: Sant Jordi) is the patron saint of Catalonia in a tradition established in the Middle Ages. Despite being a working day, it is regarded as one of Catalan national holidays due to its popularity. It is also celebrated, to a lesser extent, in Northern Catalonia (France).

On this day, love and literature are widely celebrated throughout Catalonia. Books and roses are exchanged, particularly between sweethearts and loved ones. Traditionally, men gave women a rose, and women gave men a book, however, in modern times the mutual exchange of books and roses regardless of gender is also customary. Therefore, the festival roughly serves the same romantic purposes that of Saint Valentine's Day in Anglophone countries.