Books and roses from London to Tokyo: where to celebrate Sant Jordi around the globe
Find out how the rest of the world observes the most romantic day of the year
Not in Catalonia this Sunday? Not to worry, there will be 361 events in 36 countries around the globe marking the most romantic day of the year – we're, of course, talking about Sant Jordi!
"It's a beautiful holiday for us, for Catalan people, and that is why we want people to know that we celebrate this day because of its values," Laura Foraster, the secretary general of Diplocat, a public-private consortium that promotes Catalonia abroad, told Catalan News.
"We want people to get to know Catalonia and its people through these values and this day and what this day means to us."
Here are some of the Sant Jordi celebrations organized by Catalan government delegations, Catalans who live abroad, and cultural entities, with more information on even more events on Diplocat's #BooksAndRoses website:
Europe
Books and human towers | Paris
Organized by the Casal de Catalunya de Paris cultural association, the Geperuts 'colla castellera' will delight onlookers with Catalan human towers or 'castells'. Attendees have been asked to bring (wrapped) books for a surprise book exchange.
When: April 23 at 4 pm
Where: Rosa Bonheur – Bois de Vincennes Porte Jaune – Av de Nogent 75012 Paris
#BooksAndRoses | London
Head to Camden Market on Sunday to see the Castellers of London human tower group in action, a London Catalan Choir recital, and "many more surprises." The event is organized by the Delegation of the Government of Catalonia to the United Kingdom and Ireland in collaboration with other organizations such as the Institut Ramon Llull or the Barça Fan Club in London.
When: April 23 at 12 pm
Where: Camden Market Hawley Wharf, 1 Dockray Place, NW1 8QH
#BooksAndRoses | Dublin
Dublin's Catalan community will celebrate Sant Jordi with a picnic complete with a books and roses exchange before heading to McGrattans Pub for a few drinks.
When: April 23 at 1 pm
Where: 1 Merrion Square E, Dublin
Bringing Sant Jordi to Central Europe | Slovenia, Czech Republic, Poland, Austria
The Catalan government delegation to Central Europe has organized a series of Sant Jordi-related activities, from workshops to roundtable discussions or book presentations in four different countries.
When: April 6 to 24
Where: Various venues
Africa
Discovering poet Miquel Martí i Pol | Tunis
Poet and literary critic Oriol Rissech will pay tribute to Catalan writer Miquel Martí i Pol at an event organized by the Catalan government delegation to northern Africa. Rissech will also discuss works by other writers that are set to be translated into Arabic soon.
When: April 29 at 6 pm
Where: Librairie Al Kitab R52J+2RX, Ave Habib Bourguiba, Tunis 1000, Tunisia
South America
Sant Jordi celebration | Montevideo
The Casal Català de Montevideo association has organized Sant Jordi-themed activities for all ages, while local bookstores Pocitos Libros, La Libélula libros, and Isidora Libros will be selling books.
When: April 22 at 1 pm
Where: Plaza Varela, Montevideo
#BooksandRoses | Guayaquil
The Casal Català de Guayaquil cultural organization will be hosting a poetry reading and invites attendees to participate in a book exchange. There will also be drinks, pa amb tomàquet, and roses.
When: April 23 at 4 pm
Where: Mirtos 706, Guayaquil 090511
Catalan food and books | São Paulo
Brazilians who enjoy some good pa amb tomàquet will be in for a treat this Saturday, with the Associação Cultural Catalonia hosting a few nibbles. There will also be a book raffle and an exchange of roses and bookmarks.
When: April 22 at 1 pm
Where: Av. Lins de Vasconcelos, 1807 - Jardim da Gloria, São Paulo - SP, 01537-001
North America
Orfeó Català Sant Jordi celebrations | Mexico City
The Orfeó Català de Mèxic cultural association has organized a book and roses fair that will take place the morning of Sant Jordi. There will then be a typical Catalan meal with pa amb tomàquet, allioli, and escalivada around midday and a choir recital in the evening.
When: April 23 at 11 am
Where: Lafayette 28, Anzures, Miguel Hidalgo, 11590 Mexico City
#BooksAndRoses in the Bay Area | Tiburon, CA
The Bay Area Catalan Network will be marking the day with a potluck, a "chocolate party" and a book exchange at Paradise Beach Park. The event is only open to members – write to team@catalansbayarea.com to find out more.
When: April 23 at 11 am
Where: Paradise Beach County Park, 3450 Paradise Dr, Belvedere Tiburon, CA 94920, USA
Catalan Gastronomic Week | US and Canada
21 restaurants in the United States and Canada will showcase Catalan cuisine, from pa amb tomàquet to arròs caldós or crema catalana. Organized by the Catalan government delegation to the United States and Canada, diners will also receive a bookmark and an infographic on the legend of Sant Jordi.
When: April 17 to 23
Where: Find the list of participating restaurants here
Sant Jordi USA | Chicago, New York and online
The Farragut Fund for Catalan Culture in the US has put together a week of book presentations and poetry readings, multilingual storytelling, wine and cheese, chocolate and churros…
When: April 21 to 27
Where: Find information on the various locations here
Asia
#BooksandRoses | Bangkok
The GalileOasis will be hosting a celebration of roses, books, talks, music, and food organized by MESA 312 CULTURAL LAB in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in Thailand.
When: April 23 at 10 am
Where: 535 32 Soi Rong Rian King Phet, Thanon Phetchaburi, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400
#BooksAndRoses | Tokyo
Tokyo's Catalonia Society will be getting together this Sunday for book readings, a tea ceremony, fun activities for children, cava sparkling wine and, of course, books and roses.
When: April 23 at 1 pm
Where: Rental Space Sakura 3-chōme-3-13 Jingūmae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001 〒150-0001 東京都渋谷区神宮前３丁目３−１３
Kansai Region Sant Jordi Day Event | Osaka
The Centre Kansai Catalunya will celebrate Sant Jordi by putting on a concert, book and roses exchange, and a crafts workshop for children.
When: April 23 at 2:30 pm
Where: 3-chōme-1-8 Bakurōmachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 541-0059, Japan
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