In Barcelona and the larger Catalonia region, 23rd April is a special day, it is Saint Jordi’s Day. A day when Love and Romance sweeps through town and takes residence in people’s hearts. During Saint Jordi’s Day people of all ages go an extra mile to find the best way to express affection to their loved ones. Also known as the Feast of St George, Feliç Diada de Sant Jordi, Sant Jordi´s or “La Diada de Sant Jordi”, this day is steeped in history as the most romantic day of the year in these regions. St Jordi Day means good business to florists. Most of them go for top quality red roses such as Porta Nova Red Naomi to satisfy their customer needs.
People of all ages celebrate St Jordi’s day. A young lad seen here presenting a bouquet of Porta Nova roses during a past St Jordi’s celebration (all images courtesy of Fontanillas Floristeria).
Sant Jordi is the Catalan name of Saint George, who is the patron saint of Catalonia. The day is however not an exclusively Barcelona affair, as it is also celebrated by Christians in other towns and cities around the world where St George is the patron saint.
In the Catalonia region, this day is steeped in history as the most romantic day of the year.
St Jordi’s is also called “El Día de los Amantes,” which means Lovers Day and sometimes called “El día de la Rosa,” which means the Rose Day. Although not an official public holiday, the day is marked with much pomp and flair as people of all ages exchange red roses and books. It is tradition for men to give their ladies red roses on this day while a new trend has seen women give books to the special men in their lives.
Red roses exchanged during St Jordi’s are decorated with a sprig of wheat and a little red and yellow “senyera”, the symbol of four red stripes on a golden background, which is the Catalan flag. Many roses have the message “t’estimo,” – “I love you” in Catalan.
A bouquet of Porta Nova roses to wish you a lovely St Jordi’s Day
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