Red roses everywhere

Today Catalonia is filled with red roses. Where ever you go you will see them.


For you that are not familiar with the Catalan Traditions it is Diada de San Jordi (Saint George Day).


As per the tradition the men gives the women a rose and the women gives the men a book. They are actually two different traditions that have been joined together on the same day - 23rd of April. The Diada de San Jordi has been celebrated since 1436 as Saint George is the patron of Catalonia and El dia del Llibre (The Book Day) since 1926, as a memory of Cervante.


The legend says that a terrible dragon held a princess captured and that the brave Saint George came to rescue her. He had to fight the dragon with his sword and on the spot where the dragons blood was spilled a rose grew. Saint George took the rose and gave it to the princess.




The story is known by any Catalan child and even though Diada de San Jordi is not a official holiday it is one of the most important celebrations in Catalonia.