Coming up two weeks from now in Barcelona is St.George's Day, or El Dia de Sant Jordi. This nationally-celebrated holiday in Spain is traditionally the second most important National Feast in Catalonia. Celebrated on April 23rd, Catalonia is taken over with book stands and stands selling roses, as it is customary for lovers and friends to exchange these gifts on this day. The giving of roses has been an ancient tradition, but the giving of books is more recent, and based upon the deaths of Shakespeare and Miguel Cervantes on the same date.

La Rambla and Plaça Catalunya are the most frequented places on this day, as over four million roses and over 800,000 books are sold. These book sales account for nearly half of the yearly book sales in Catalonia! The Sardana, the national dance of Catalonia, is performed throughout the day in Plaça Sant Jaume, and many bookstores and cafes hold readings of classic novels such as Don Quixote. As the patron saint of Catalonia, this is an important and fun day for all of those around. Make sure you have a place to stay so you can witness this lovely celebration!