Generalitat de Catalunya

Sant Jordi 2010

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  Images

  Images of Saint George's Day in Catalonia

  
  

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  Enhanced reality for your Saint George's Day greeting!

  See how the book and the rose come to life on your computer screen! A range of messages is available for you to personalise your greeting.

  
  

  Access to Saint George's Day greeting
  
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  Activities and events

  Once again we are celebrating Saint George's Day. Saint George is the patron saint of Catalonia and this is the day when we give each other books and roses. Events to mark the occasion will be held in towns and villages all over Catalonia and the streets will be filled with stalls selling books and roses.

  
  

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  Access to resources
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  Specially for children

  Books, reading, language and literature materials and everything about the Saint George legend and tradition explained for children. A wealth of educational resources to help children to learn, understand and enjoy reading.

  
  

  Acces to children activities
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  Worldwide celebrations

  April 23 has been declared World Book and Copyright Day, linking it with books and reading around the world. Government delegations abroad, Catalan cultural centres and the Ramon Llull Institute will be organising a wide range of activities to mark the occasion.

  
  

  Access to worldwide celebrations
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  Legend and tradition

  The best known version of the legend in Catalonia tells that in Montblanc (Conca de Barberà) a noble knight killed a terrible dragon to save the king's daughter. According to the tradition, where the dragon's blood was spilt a rose bush with beautiful red roses sprang up.

  
  

  Access to legend and tradition
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  Books and roses

  The tradition of giving roses has its origins in the time of the General Council (Diputació del General), when a rose festival used to be held. Book Day is a more recent development. On Saint George's Day a considerable proportion of yearly book sales take place and publishers take advantage of the occasion to present the latest additions to their collections.

  
  

  Access to books and roses