Writers ‘amazed’ by reader response on Sant Jordi’s Day

Sant Jordi’s Day is above all a celebration of reading, and it is one of the few times in the year when readers get the chance to actually meet the writers they admire. In Barcelona on Monday, Catalan writers were taken aback by the enthusiasm of the public to share a few words and have their books signed. “I like Sant Jordi because some people who never read buy books,” prizewinning author Quim Monzó told the Catalan News Agency (ACN).    

A few metres away Fernando Aramburu was also signing books. The author of the novel ‘Patria’ -the best-selling Spanish language book on Sant Jordi’s Day last year- said the readers he had spoken to were “very friendly and affable.” Meanwhile, writer Jordi Amat said “people understand today is a day of culture, joy and love.” Next to him, writer Enrique Vila-Matas called April 23 “an extraordinary public festivity in which everyone takes part."

“An extraordinary and special day”

On Barcelona’s Passeig de Gràcia avenue, a long line of readers waited patiently to have their books signed by Javier Marías. The writer also told ACN that for him Sant Jordi’s Day “is an extraordinary and special day that has no equivalent anywhere in the world.” As for Llucia Ramis, author of 'Les possessions', she declared herself “happy” and added, “I am a little amazed by all that’s happening. I can’t find the words.”

Meanwhile, writer Carme Riera said that more people come every year and she hoped that people would buy books and, most importantly, read them: “Before, it was not so much of a media thing, there were not so many people, but the book and the rose were the fundamental points of this festival and that must be maintained,” she said.

And it was not only Catalan writers who were out meeting their fans on Monday, as this year is the 10th that Italian writer, Federico Moccia, has come to Barcelona to take part in the Sant Jordi festivities. "It is a lovely festival because we get to meet so many of our readers," he said, adding: "Sant Jordi is unique.”