Catalan people has started to worship Sant Jordi from the Xth century.
A legendary knight rescued a maid from the dragon. According to the legend, this happened in the town of Montblanc, in Catalonia.
Five hundred years later Sant Jordi became the Saint Patron of Catalonia.
Probably the same legend is popular in other countries, but what makes the difference is the way we celebrate this festivity in Catalonia.
In our country, Sant Jordi’s day is the day of ROSES and BOOKS.
The rose stands for love, so we consider the festivity as the day of love.
Sant Jordi’s day is celebrated on the 23th of April. In 1616, in the same day, died Cervantes, an important writer. So, we also celebrate the book’s date by displaying stands full of roses and books to be sold.
Why do people buy so many roses? As a Love’s day, traditionally men give a red rose (only one) to their most loved women: mothers, grand mothers, wives, girlfriends...
Women usually give a book to their loved men.
It is very nice to have a walk in the main streets of catalan towns and cities on Sant Jordi’s Day. There are plenty of people walking, buying books and roses......
Catalan Flags are displayed around: in the houses’ balconies, in the stands, in the official buildings...
Sant Jordi’s Day is a very special date also for the schools. Pupils do different activities related to Sant Jordi’s Legend. They can read the legend, performing and playing.
In our school this festivity is always celebrated.
Last year, every group of children made a handcraft dragon. All the dragons met at the playground: animals and pupils danced together.
We also use to display some stands full of books to be sold to children. The books are suitable to their age or level.
Our pupils also make handcraft roses to give to their mothers. Every year teachers choose a nice pattern to make their beautiful roses.
Our children usually have breakfast all together with bread, chocolate and some juice.
Every year we celebrate Sant Jordi’s Day in a different way, sometimes like making literature concerts, writing and reading poems, stories…It is always a very nice day to celebrate at schools.
