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A book and a rose. It's a great tradition because it's so simple, just a book and a rose. I recently experienced my second book and rose holiday here in Catalunya, Spain. This holiday is known among the locals as Sant Jordi and for us English Speakers that translates to Saint George. And why this holiday? Sant Jordi is celebrated every April 23 because, as the tradition says, it was on this day that Saint George killed the dragon to save a princess and the Catalan town of Mont Blanc. According to legend, everyday the villagers would cast a lot to decide who would be sacrificed to the dragon in order to keep the dragon content. One day the daughter of the king was the unlucky one. Accepting her fate she left the town's walls and all of a sudden a knight with a white horse and golden armor swooped in, slew the dragon and saved not only the princess, but also the entire town of Mont Blanc. In the place where the dragon was slain a single red rose grew. Well, that explains the rose… and now for the book. April 23 happens to be the birthday of the famous Spanish writer Cervantes as well as the birthday of Shakespeare. Hence, the gift of the book. The day is celebrated much like Valentines Day, but much simpler because there are no cards, no boxes of chocolates or diamond earrings, just books and roses. Towns are a buzz with people browsing the books arranged on tables along pedestrian streets and in town squares and by the end of the day most women have a rose in hand whether it's from a friend, a lover, a brother, a father or a husband. Usually by this time of the year the sun is shining and it's warmth helps one to forget the cold and gray winter. It's an excuse to get out of the office and take a walk or meet up with a friend for a coffee on an outside terrace. The town is smiling although women with more roses seem to be smiling more than the others. This was my second Sant Jordi and what a difference a year can make. I had no clue about the tradition when the first holiday rolled around and consequently my husband and I didn't exchange books nor did I receive a single rose. Then, by the second year I not only understood the holiday, but I also managed to get invited to an exclusive reception at the Palace of the Catalan Government that was hosted by the president of Catalunya. I was mingling with dignitaries, famous people, important politicians and influential business people, oh, and then there was little ol' me. I was there only because I had met someone from the Catalan press and after I told him that I was writing about my experiences in Spain, he made sure I was invited to this event. In fact, this wrap about writing about my experiences living in Spain is a good one because the Catalan people are so proud of their culture and their heritage that they make sure I have good experiences to write about. I suggest trying this angle for anyone who wants to be invited to exclusive events when there is no other recourse. Actually, it's also a good way to meet people of the opposite sex. I knew a guy from the US who was living in Barcelona for a few months and he had come over to write and play. Well, he sure did his fair share of playing. I don't know how much of it can be contributed to his good looks and how much could be contribute to his story. It sounded so exotic and intriguing to be traveling around the globe writing about your experiences. The women flocked! He was a modern-day Saint George who had made his way with many princesses! Unfortunately he never witnessed a Sant Jordi. But then, that may be a good thing, imagine all the roses he would have had to buy. |
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