Every year, on 23 April, Sant Jordi’s Day is celebrated, coinciding with the Day of the Book and the Feast of the Roses, symbols of culture and love. This date is of great importance for the popular culture of Mallorca. Since the 15th century, the custom of giving a red rose, symbolising the blood spilt by the dragon, to the loved one has been deeply rooted. In the 1930s, the custom of giving a book as a gift was added as part of the Book Day celebration.
LEGEND OF SANT JORDÍ
The story of Sant Jordi that we know dates back to the 12th century, when a Franciscan friar wrote the “Leyenda Aria” (Aryan Legend). According to this story, Sant Jordi killed the dragon with his lance to protect the maiden Cleodolinda, and from the dragon’s blood a rosebush grew.
The legend is taught in schools and told in books and cartoons, keeping it alive in the collective imagination. In the story, a dragon terrorised a medieval village, forcing them to sacrifice one person by lot when they ran out of lambs to feed it. The princess was chosen, but just as she was about to be sacrificed, Sant Jordi appeared to save her, slaying the dragon in the process. The dragon’s blood gave rise to a rose bush, thus justifying the tradition of giving roses on 23 April.
BOOK DAY
In 1995, UNESCO’ s General Conference promoted Book Day to pay tribute to literature and encourage reading. This date was chosen because it was symbolic, marking the deaths of two great writers: William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes. Although they did not die on exactly the same day, their deaths coincided in the Gregorian and Julian calendars.
TRADITION
The tradition of giving roses to women and books to men has been maintained over time. Roses symbolise the fidelity and passion of the lover, while books represent knowledge and culture. The custom is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages, when knights gave the roses they received in tournaments to their beloved. Furthermore, in 1929, the Gremi de Llibreters de Barcelona decided to promote the sale of books on 23rd April, framing it as Sant Jordi’s Day due to its literary relevance and the legends surrounding it.
In Palma and all over Mallorca, you can find activities such as Sant Jordi legend storytelling, workshops, family days and new and used book fairs. You are also encouraged to explore the events organised by town halls and neighbourhoods, where there are bound to be interesting activities close to home. Below is a list of the different Sant Jordi activities in Mallorca:
DIFFERENT FAIRS IN DIFFERENT TOWNS
- PALMA: More than thirty bookshops will be set up in the streets of Palma this Sant Jordi (Saint George’s Day). In addition, more than two hundred author signings have been scheduled, one of the attractions every year for readers, who can come and chat with their favourite author so that he or she can dedicate a copy to them. Another incentive is the 10% discount that bookshops apply to titles on that day. In addition to the many activities. Check the programme here.
- FAN MALLORCA: The Palma shopping centre, Fan Mallorca, is organising the 2nd Solidarity Book Fair on Saturday 22nd April, from 12 to 8 pm. More info here.
- ALCÚDIA: The Alcudia Town Hall is organising different activities from the 17th of April until the 24th. Among them you will find family workshops, storytelling, exhibitions and book sales. More info here.
- BINISSALEM: Binissalem will be full of activities from the 11th of April until the 23rd. Check the programme here.
- CAMPANET: On the 23rd of April the Diada de Sant Jordi will take place with book sales in the Plaça Major from 10 am. There will also be storytelling in the municipal library.
- CAPDEPERA: For Sant Jordi’s Day they have organised a full day of activities, which you can find more information on the Facebook of the town hall of Capdepera.
- COLONYA DE SANT JORDI: In the Colonya de Sant Jordi you will find different exhibitions, gymkhanas, inaugurations, cycling trophies and even a popular picada! Check out the agenda on the town council’s website.
- INCA: Inca has organised a programme of activities until the 26th. On Tuesday 23 April, Sant Jordi’s Day, Inca’s bookshops will be open all day and there will also be a street market from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. More information on the Inca Town Hall website.
- MANACOR: The municipality of Manacor will be full of cultural and literary activities for Book Week, which will be held from the 19th to the 28th of April. A wide variety of events to celebrate and encourage the love of literature, from book presentations to storytelling shows and concerts. More info here.
- POLLENÇA: from the 15th of April until the 24th of April in Pollença there will be different activities from painting, readings, storytelling and competitions. Find more information on the library’s website.
- SA POBLA: Sant Jordi is coming! This year we will have book presentations, stalls, children’s activities, music and many other activities. More information about the programme of activities in the link.
- SELVA: On 22nd April there will be a storytelling session at the municipal library at 17:30.
- SENCELLES: From the 20th of April, different activities will take place in the Plaça de la Vila de Sencelles and the municipal library until the 25th of April. More info here.
Come and live the authentic book fair experience in Mallorca. With Ideal Property Mallorca you will find your ideal accommodation for a great holiday.
