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BY MONTSE CARRANZA MILIÁN.

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Sant Jordi in Barcelona.

Casa Batlló by architect Antoni Gaudi, decorated with red roses, on the day of Sant Jordi.

It was in the early morning, when I could admire the red roses in Casa Batlló. The sky was totally blue, and the sunlights lighted up the cool morning. 
It was an indian salesman. the first, who wanted to sell me a rose, but someone gave me the first one, the day before Sant Jordi. And after this special day, of course, many aromatic  and beautiful roses bloomed in my garden.
This special morning was a pleasure to take the breakfast  in Passeig de Gracia, the wide and long avenue seemed a  beautiful,  and colored carpet made of different kinds of roses and books.

Red roses in Passeig de Gracia (Barcelona).
 Mercantilism and romanticism walked together by the long avenue until the sea. And after finishing my breakfast, I decided to follow them until the harbour, and there I discovered a big catamar with music, which  travelled around the harbour of Barcelona.


In the early morning booksellers prepare their bookstells with the latest library novelties.

There, on the soft aparent bay, the gentle sea breeze became almost as a hurrican, there were some clouds in the sky,  but there were also  many roses everywhere, and many children were playing in the mouth of a giant dragon made of cardboards and other materials0, and most of them discovered new tales, and toys to share and read with their friends. 
There were also many books in other languages, not only in Catalan and Spanish, but also in Russian, French, English, and Italian languages, because many toursits from these countries Russia, France, England and Italian have been visited  our city for many years ago, and they specially love to read on the beach, in terraces, in the harbour, in gardens,  swimming poola, hotels, and of course at home.

More roses in Passeig de Gracia.

There are different kind of Roses for different kind of couples and friends. Sant Jordi is not only celebrated in Catalunya but also in Japan, USA, Paris, London, Berlin, and other more cities, where the Institut Ramón Llull (URL) organizes the "Sant Jordi al Món" with activities in more than ten countries. 
In Madrid for exemple, the citizens had the opportunity to learn catalan language in this special day.  On the other hand music has been the protagonist in London, New York and Berlin during this event; and in Budapest has taken place "El Simposio de Catalanistica"in order to commemorate forty years of these studies at the University from this city.



The atmosphere in Barcelona  was  as a holiday day, and many catalan men rushed quickly to buy the roses for their lovely partners,  and in some flower stalls, in busy hours, they made long queues.
 It was the same situation  that I could appreciate every year. The magical moments are always there.


Many books are published in catalan language, and many authors of different fields publish in this language.


Rosebushes, and roses glamorize the streets, gardens and inside houses with their beauty and fragrance.


Children are important protagonists in this special day, and they enjoy with their new tales, but not only they can play and read their books in Sant Jordi, they can also read, loook for new adventures, and play in their special corner or area for children in some of the bookstores from the city.


Roses with the colors of Barça. 
Finally,  it's nice to remember that the best football team in the world, is a great exemple for children and young people, so some roses are decorated with the colors of this star team.