Sant Jordi celebration in center of Barcelona canceled

Passeig de Gràcia, in the center of Barcelona, will not be overtaken by book on rose vendors on July 23, the date set for the "alternative" summer Sant Jordi after festivities were canceled on April 23 due to the strict lockdown that was in place at the time.

The decision by the Book Chamber and Florists' Guild comes not long after further Covid-curbing measures in the Barcelona metropolitan area and Segrià and Noguera counties due to a significant increase in coronavirus cases.

Although Barcelona book and rose vendors will not be on Passeig de Gràcia, for now they do plan to set up small stands in front of their shops.

The Catalan government, however, is not certain the festivities will be able to go ahead at all, calling them "unlikely." Authorities are yet to come to a final decision on the matter.