David Walliams to kick off Sant Jordi festivities in Barcelona

British writer and actor David Walliams has been chosen to give the proclamation of Sant Jordi 2024.

The event that marks the start of Catalonia's day of books and the roses will be held on April 22, one day prior to Sant Jordi, at 6 pm at the Gabriel García Márquez Library in Barcelona, recently recognized as the world's best public library.

It is the first time that the an author from the field of children's and youth literature kicks off the Sant Jordi celebrations.

With more than 56 million copies sold worldwide and translations into 55 languages, Walliams is one of the best-selling authors in his field of all time.

Among his best-known works are 'Gangsta Granny', 'Billionaire Boy', 'The World's Worst Children', and 'Ratburger'.

Ferran Burguillos, manager of the Consortium of Libraries of Barcelona, celebrated that "an author so prominent in his field" will kick off the Sant Jordi festivities.

The day after Walliams's proclamation, Sant Jordi will begin with the traditional breakfast at the Palau de la Virreina. 

As every year, the libraries of Barcelona will celebrate the day with a series of talks that bring together authors from different backgrounds and careers.

These will take place between Monday 15 and Tuesday 23 April at different libraries in the city and will feature authors such as Hernán Díaz , Mircea Cărtărescu, Rodrigo Fresán, Jordi Puntí, Andrea Genovart, Carlota Gurt, Lucía Lijtmaer, Roser Vernet, Mar García Puig, Sergi Pàmies, Greta García, and more.