Since 1995, 23 April is recognized as the International Book Day by UNESCO. It is also on this day, since 1964, that Spanish-speaking countries commemorate the passing of Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare, who both died in 1616.
In reality, both died on the same date, 23 April but not on the same day. Almost a century before, in the year 1582, Pope Gregory XIII, moved 10 days forward the calendar in order to adjust it (creating the Gregorian calendar), so the 4 October 1582 became 15 October 1582. These changes were adopted immediately by France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy, in England though they were not until 1782.
Therefore, for the English, Shakespeare died on 23 April, but for the catholic countries it took place on 3 May.
But in Catalonia, 23 April, is also Sant Jordi: day of the book, the rose, and lovers. Sant Jordi is the patron saint of Catalonia, Aragón, and the Balearic Islands.
It is a very important and festive day, everybody is in on the streets celebrating it, buying books and roses to their loved ones.
The Catalan version tells us that in the mountains of Montblanc there was a dragon that was terrifying the people of that area. By popular vote, and after having sacrificed all the livestock they had in the town, it was decided that the king’s daughter would be handed over as a sacrifice to appease the dragon. When the princess was heading to the dragon’s cave, Sant Jordi, a young and brave knight, appeared to fight the dragon and rescue the princess. From the blood shed from the dragon a beautiful a rose bush of red roses was born, the handsome knight picked one of them and gave it to the princess. The king, grateful, wanted to marry the knight with the princess but the knight refused since his arrival to the city was the result of a divine revelation he had had, warning him of the urgence of saving her from the dragon.
What about you, have you already bought a book for that special day, to celebrate love and friendship?
Find here all those books you are looking for, in their original language and for all tastes.
