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Days of books, roses and love in Spain

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The idea of ​​Book Day and World Copyright originates from an interesting legend in Spain. These days, the boys and girls here often give each other books with a red rose.
For the people of Barcelona and Catalunã (Spain), April 23 has long been a true festival because it is a random combination of many anecdotes. However, in many other countries, little is known that World Copyright and Book Day has an interesting origin from this country.

Red roses, books and lovers are the three indispensable factors in the streets of April. Not just a religious festival, this is considered the most romantic time of the year. In particular, for the people of Catalonia, it is more valuable and meaningful than Valentine’s Day. Spaniards often refer to April 23 as Rose Day, Book Festival, or a version of Valentine’s Day; is an opportunity for book lovers to gather, buy and buy books and celebrate the best holiday of the year: the Feast of Saint Jordi. On April 23, lovers will give books and red roses to their other half. Photo: Getty. Legend of red rose and Saint Jordi The origin of this religious festival is a mixture of traditional customs of many periods. According to legend, in the old days in Catalunã appeared a dragon monster specializing in cannibalism. To alleviate its hunger, every day people had to pay tribute to him a virgin. One day, the death number called the name of the beautiful princess. Thinking death was imminent, suddenly a knight named Jorge (later named Saint Jordi) appeared with sparkling armor, riding a white horse, defeating the monster, promptly rescuing the attack. God. After his death, from the blood spilling out from the monster appeared bright red rose bushes, strangely beautiful. Jorge quickly picked up a flower and gave it to the princess. The legend of Saint Jordi became the design inspiration for Batlló house by architect Antoni Gaudí. The house is located in Barcelona, ​​attracting many visitors during April. Photo: Casabatllo. Since then, the villagers are at peace, Jorge is considered the patron saint of Catalonia. This day is annually taken as Valentine’s Day in Catalonia for the same reason. Guys who are “in love” will give a rose to the girl they love. For them, a rose branch represents eternal and unique love. And the women will give a book to the man they love in return of their sincerity. That custom becomes a new and unique feature. With the flow of time, it gradually expanded to include not only lovers, but also family members, friends or colleagues. This anecdote has been passed down in some European countries such as England, Greece, and Portugal. There, the campaign for each customer to buy a book will be rewarded with a rose, which is also very enthusiastic. Random overlaps Since 1929, the city of Barcelona has held its annual global exhibition on October 7. Bookmakers took this opportunity to promote and sell books. But after many years, they decided to choose April 23 (this time in Spain is spring) as a reading festival on the street. The idea also stems from a very beautiful traditional custom in Catalonia: On April 23 every year (is the feast of St. Jordi), there are many book fairs and street festivals held, attracting crowds. Island people to visit. In addition to the cool climate, a Valencia native living in Barcelona found a coincidence between the death of St. Jordi and the two world great writers Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare. These two great pens are said to have died on April 23, 1616. In fact, the “father” of the work Don Quijote fights the windmill died 10 days earlier than Shakespeare, but since Spain at that time used the Gregarian calendar, while in England it was Julian, there was a coincidence. April 23 is also the birthday or death anniversary of other famous authors such as Maurice Druon, K.Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and Manuel Mejía Vallejo. With that special coincidence, in 1995, UNESCO selected April 23 every year as World Book Day and Copyright, to honor books and those who have made great contributions to the cultural development of the people. species. April 23 becomes more special in Catalonia and Barcelona As an important holiday with interesting stories in Catalonia and Barcelona, ​​the bookstores and flower shops here are open all day. The attraction of the event made the streets full of passersby. Red rose, the book of the same flag Senyera is covered in the color of love. The towns of Barcelona and Catalonia are full of people buying books and flowers. Photo: Vietcasa. In the midst of that bustling scene, it is not difficult to see writers and poets signing books directly to customers, readers love you. If on normal days, people here are afraid to go down the crowded streets, in this festival they cannot ignore the tradition of walking the streets and looking to buy books. Barcelona and Catalonia quickly became a huge library with street corners selling a wide variety of books and red roses. The crowded line of people, interspersed between bookstores and flower stalls is the most popular on Ramblas, Gracia, Sant Joan, Rambla de Catalunã or Sant Jaume squares. April 23 is really an opportunity to take a walk in the bustling atmosphere and filled with the scent of roses. In addition to giving flowers, lovers give books as a way to remember the traditions deeply ingrained in the culture of gaur people.