Today, I'm going to take you on a field trip.
It's really a throwback trip. Same time last year, I was in Barcelona and on my last day there, the city was celebrating the Sant Jordi Festival (April 23).
 |
| via Casa Batllo |
Sant Jordi (Saint George) is the patron saint of Catalonia, the region where Barcelona is located. Legend has it that Sant Jordi saved a princess from a dragon. Roses grew on the ground where he slayed the dragon and as an act of chivalry, Sant Jordi offered a rose to the princess.
During the Sant Jordi Festival, its tradition for men to give ladies a rose.
And the ladies exchange the gesture by giving the men books. But these days, women and men can receive both roses and books (maybe thrown in a cute stuffed dragon, too). It's their version of Valentine's Day!
You'll find book stalls everywhere, even on the streets and in the airport. Bookstores even invite authors for book signing events.
Roses are for sale on street corners, supermarkets, not just flower shops. A wheat stalk typically accompanies the rose and these are wrapped with a ribbon highlighting the colors of La Senyera (the Catalan flag).
Roses in pots are another option.
Even bakeries create special pastries decorated with roses or dragons.
Popular tourist spots like the Barri Gothic (Gothic Quarter) are decorated with roses.
Even the balconies of Gaudi's Casa Battlo bloom with roses!
April 23 also happens to be World Book Day, and here in Barcelona, you could really feel it. What a lovely reason to celebrate: books and literature!
As a souvenir, I got this bookmark (it will last longer than a real rose) and a Spanish version of The Little Prince.
I hope you enjoyed our trip today and I wish you many travels that turn your life from blah to TADA!
*****
You may subscribe here for future blog posts delivered straight to your inbox or follow me on Instagram for more crafty ideas.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Your comments are very much appreciated!