in association with Mundo Latino MU and Maynooth University School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Roses, books and lovers? In Catalonia the World Book Day becomes an especially romantic festivity. The people in Catalonia celebrate the day of their patron saint, Sant Jordi, with this tradition.
According to this tradition, couples exchange gifts: a book for the men and a rose for the women. Book and flower stalls are set up along the streets of Barcelona.
This festival comes from a mixture of traditions from different periods. It coincides, on one hand, with the fact that Sant Jordi has been the patron saint of Catalonia since the 15th century; on the other hand, it comes from the famous legend of St George and the dragon and the old medieval tradition of visiting the Chapel of Sant Jordi in the Government Palace, where a rose fair or "lovers" fair used to take place. This is why Sant Jordi is also the patron saint of lovers in Catalonia.
As part of our Sant Jordi celebrations there will be a Catalan Poetry Reading @ 3pm in Room in 3/4 in the Students Union With special guest, Spanish Ambassador Don José María Rodríguez Coso.
There will also be a roses and books sale in the arts building from 9am to 3pm.
We hope you can join us.