If you happen to be in Barcelona tomorrow April 23rd, you're in luck as you'll be able to immerse in one of the most festive events in Catalan culture, the DIA DE SANT JORDI (Saint George's Day in English), the saint patron of Catalonia -as well as a few other places, such as England, Irak, Hungary, Canada or Russia :).
Sant Jordi's day is Catalonia's most romantic day of the year, a day of roses, romance and books and while we also celebrate the (imported) festivity of St Valentine's on Feb 14th, Sant Jordi is Catalonia's true day of love. In this day, also known as Dia de la Rosa (Day of the Rose) tradition mandates that the man will present his loved one with a rose and she will present a book to him. These days though, the tradition has broaden and roses are given to female colleagues, family and friends beside one's loved one. Also, the present is no longer gender-biased -like it had been since the Middle Ages- and both men and women can receive indistinctively either a rose, a book or both. Btw, it's not a matter of presenting large bouquets, it's one single red rose -representing passion- adorned with a wheat spike -representing fertility- and a lace with the Catalan flag colours -showing one's love for one's country, yeah a bit of patriotism!- like this: http://contigomismo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Sant-Jordi-Barcelona-abril-2012-0171.jpg Modern times have also brought all sort of 'roses' apart from the traditional ones: blue, red and blue, black... and also made of paper, felt, bread (yes, bread!), etc.
In every city, the streets are taken by thousands of Catalans strolling and browsing the hundreds of stalls that fill some of the most emblematic avenues (such as Les Rambles, Passeig de Gràcia or Rambla Catalunya in Barcelona) offering a wide selection of books to purchase and... roses of course. During all day, writers sign books moving from one stall to another. Large queues are formed where the most popular writers sign (... and yes, they sign for FREE, over here it's considered bad taste to ask for money for one's signature, regardless how famous one is). Despite not being a holiday, the streets are full -more at lunchtime, when those working escape for a short stroll and to peruse in the book stalls.
Some of the most famous buildings 'dress' accordingly, such as Casa Batlló in Barcelona: http://www.elperiodico.cat/ca/noticias/barcelona/facana-casa-batllo-amanece-coberta-roses-5075716 and the whole city gets an uplifted spirit. If you happen to be in the Catalonia, plan for some time visiting these streets full of people and colour and a wonderful fragance of roses... you'll find you're very welcome to being part of our celebrations. But if you can't, have at least a peek here and weep wishing you were there, lol! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNOoWPQhYFM
For those interested in knowing more about this tradition based on an old Catalan legend: http://allaboutcatalonia.blogspot.com.es/2009/05/sant-jordi-legend.html
and getting acquainted with the numerous activities happening in Barcelona this day: http://lameva.barcelona.cat/en/santjordi/ Also. if you have the time, do visit MontBlanc -the origin of this legend in Catalonia. During this week you'll enjoy there a breathtaking Medieval festival in honour of Saint George and the princess: http://infocatalonia.eu/w/8EMWY
And THIS is from me to all my friends at Rick Steve's forum.
Enjoy!