Today, one of the most celebrated and well-known holidays in Catalonia is Sant Jordi, a commemoration of roses, literature, and love that is held annually on April 23rd. This festivity was first observed in the 15th century in Barcelona in the form of a rose fair, starting the tradition that is now a key part of this day – the gifting of roses. However, although the purpose of the festival has changed depending on the time period, the holiday is recognized today as a crucial part of Barcelona’s culture and history. At ASB, both students and teachers have been working hard to make Sant Jordi of 2023 memorable, and they most definitely succeeded!
But what is the story behind Sant Jordi? According to legend, Sant Jordi, also known as Saint George, was a Roman soldier who stumbled upon a town that was being attacked by a dragon. Each day, the citizens would select a person by drawing lots to sacrifice to the dragon so as to keep him satisfied. However, one day, it was the princess’s turn to be killed by the monster. Luckily, Sant Jordi, managed to kill the dragon and save the town, becoming its hero and beginning the legend that would survive for centuries. As per the story, when the soldier plunged his sword into the dragon, a rose sprung out of the serpent’s blood; thus, the flower became the key symbol of the holiday. Furthermore, Sant Jordi’s Day is also a literary celebration, seeing as both Miguel de Cervantes, a Spanish writer whose most renowned work is Don Quixote, and William Shakespeare, an English poet considered to be one of the greatest playwrights of all times, died on the 23rd of April (although in different years), contributing to the significance of books and texts during the holiday. Overall, the Sant Jordi celebration is characterized by literary works and roses, deriving from a legend that is still told by many today.
At ASB, the student and teacher body has been incredibly productive and busy while preparing for Sant Jordi, putting in all of the effort necessary to organize a memorable day. Many students created roses in Catalan class to symbolize the tradition of giving and receiving these flowers on Sant Jordi, which were then hung up on the ceiling of the floors in the high school building. Additionally, ASB held a used book sale from the 20th to the 21st of April in the library, with many elementary, middle, and high school students attending and purchasing books for themselves and their friends. Members of the ASB community were also invited to create pieces of art depicting dragons and other Sant Jordi symbols, which were then displayed around the high school building, adding on to the celebratory mood that was being formed by all of the planning and organizing.
Overall, the joyous atmosphere created by all of these preparations for the holiday known as Sant Jordi was truly wonderful and inspiring, and the hard work put in by the students and teachers certainly paid off! Everyone enjoyed Sant Jordi of 2023, with high schoolers especially enjoying the rose-making process and the book sale. One student even commented, “Sant Jordi has been welcomed at ASB for many years now as a book festival, and many people love its book sales and traditions,” proving the literary significance of this holiday. In general, Sant Jordi is loved by many, especially here at the school, and everyone is definitely looking forward to next year’s celebration!
Bibliography:
“Sant Jordi | Cultura Popular.” Www.barcelona.cat, www.barcelona.cat/culturapopular/en/festivals-and-traditions/sant-jordi#:~:text=We%20can%20trace%20the%20feast. Accessed 15 Apr. 2023.
“How Is St George’s Day Celebrated in Barcelona? | Spain.info in English.” Spain.info, www.spain.info/en/discover-spain/fiesta-sant-jordi-barcelona/.