On Dragons, Roses and Books. Catalonia celebrates Sant Jordi

On April 23rd, the people of Catalonia (Northern Spain) combine the liturgical day of St. George with the "International day of the book“. At the end, everyone gets a present.

Sant Jordi (St. George), a martyr from the 3rd century, is known above all by the legend of his fight against a dragon, told since the 12th century in different variations within poems and songs.

In a lake near the city of Silena lived – according to the legend – a dragon who polluted the town with his poisoning breath. The inhabitants of Silena had to sacrifice lambs to him daily to calm him mildly. When there were no more animals to sacrifice, it was the children’s turn. One day the princess herself was to be sacrificed. After a touching farewell to her parents, she went out to the lake. The moment the dragon came to eat her Highness, Georg appeared, killed the beast with his lance and saved the princess’ life. Glad and thankful about this, the king and his whole people became Christians.

The story of George, who is since now one of the 14 Saints admired as “helpers in need”, inspired the medieval Europe. Numerous kings and princes chose George as the patron of their countries (England, for example, and also Catalonia). There the folks celebrate Sant Jordi every year in a very special manner: ladies receive a rose from men, and men receive a book from ladies  – because at the same time a celebrating St. George, it is also the “International day of the book”. Children meanwhile paint or make dragons and sing songs about Sant Jordi in which the valiant fight is recalled as a central theme and described in rich detail.

On April 23rd in Barcelona you will see roses, books – and dragons everywhere. But also in general, the dragon is as much a part of culture than the Saint. Even Catalonia’s famous architect Gaudí was inspired by the legend of St. George: The roof of “Casa Batlló” seams like a “dragon’s back”. From the street-side it appears as if the fire-vomiting monster was sitting on the house. Whoever wants to be accepted in Barcelona, should consider something to be his favorite which has a relation to the darling of the whole Catalonia region – Sant Jordi.