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Sant Jordí Mallorca

Every year, on the 23rd of April, Sant Jordi’s Day (Saint George’s Day) is celebrated, coinciding with World Book Day and the Festival of the Roses, both being symbols of culture and love. This date is of great importance in Mallorca’s popular culture, and 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. The custom of giving a book as a gift was added as part of World Book Day celebration in the 30s.

SANT JORDI'S LEGEND

The Sant Jordi’s Legend as we know it dates back to the 12th century, when a Franciscan friar wrote the “Leyenda Aria”. According to this story, Sant Jordi killed the dragon with his lance to protect the maiden Cleodolinda from the dragon’s bite, and that a rosebush grew from the dragon’s spilled blood.

This legend is taught in schools and told in books and cartoons, keeping it alive. According to the legend, a dragon terrorised a medieval village, forcing them to offer one of the villagers in sacrifice when they ran out of lambs to feed it. One time the princess was chosen, but just as she was about to be sacrificed, a knight named Sant Jordi came out to save her slaying the dragon. The dragon’s blood gave rise to a rose bush, and according to the legend Sant Jordi offered one of the roses to the princess as a gift, and that’s where the tradition of giving roses on the 23rd of April comes from.

WORLD BOOK DAY

In 1995, UNESCO’s General Conference promoted World Book Day to pay tribute to the love for literature and to encourage people to read more. This date was chosen due to its symbolism, since it marked the deaths of two of the world’s best-known writers: William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes. Although their deaths are dated differently in modern calendar, they did coincide in the Gregorian and Julian calendars.

TRADITION

The tradition of giving roses to women and books to men has been kept over time. Roses symbolise the lovers’ fidelity and passion, meanwhile books represent knowledge and culture. The custom is believed to have its origins in the Middle Ages, when knights gave the roses they received in tournaments to their beloved ones.

Furthermore, in 1929, the “Gremi de Llibreters de Barcelona” decided to promote the sale of books on the 23rd of 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’s legend storytelling, workshops, and new and used book fairs. We also encourage you to explore the events organised by town halls and neighbourhoods, where interesting activities are bound to be found. You can find  a list of the different activities organised in Sant Jordi’s Day in Mallorca below:

LIST OF FAIRS ORGANISED IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF MALLORCA

  • PALMA: More than thirty bookshops will be set up in the streets of Palma this Sant Jordi’s Day. In addition, more than two hundred book signings by their authors have been scheduled, which is one of the main attractions every year for book lovers, since they get to meet their favourite authors and also a signed copy of their favourite books. Another incentive is the 10% discount that bookshops apply on that day, in addition to the many activities. Check the programme here.
  • FAN MALLORCA: The Palma shopping centre known as Fan Mallorca is organising the 2nd Charity Book Fair on Saturday 22nd of April from 12p.m. to 8 p.m. More info here.
  • ALCÚDIA: Alcúdia’s Town Hall has organised different activities from the 17th until the 24th of April. Amongst them you will find family workshops, storytelling, exhibitions and book sales. More info here.
  • BINISSALEM: Binissalem will be filled with activities from the 11th until the 23rd of April. Check the programme here.
  • CAMPANET: On the 23rd of April the “Diada de Sant Jordi” will take place with book sales at the Plaça Major starting at 10 a.m. There will also be storytelling in the public library.
  • CAPDEPERA: For Sant Jordi’s Day, a whole day filled with activities has been organised, about which you can find more information in Capdepera’s Town Hall Facebook profile.
  • COLÒNIA DE SANT JORDI: In Colònia de Sant Jordi you will find different exhibitions, gymkhanas, inaugurations, cycling trophies and even a popular “picada”! Check out the programme on the town’s councils website.
  • INCA: Inca’s Town Hall has organised an extensive programme of activities until the 26th of April. On Tuesday 23rd of April, on Sant Jordi’s Day, Inca’s bookshops will be open all day and there will also be a street market from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. More information on Inca’s Town Hall website.
  • MANACOR: The municipality of Manacor will be filled with cultural and literary activities for Book Week, which will be held from the 19th to the 28th of April. There, you will find a wide variety of events to celebrate and encourage the love for literature, from book presentations to storytelling, shows and concerts. More info here.
  • POLLENÇA: From the 15th until the 24th of April, you will find different activities in Pollença, like painting, public readings, storytelling and competitions. You can find more information on Pollença’s Public Library website.
  • SA POBLA: Sant Jordi’s Day is coming! This year we will have book presentations, stalls, activities for children, music concerts and many other activities. More information about the programme on this link.
  • SELVA: On the 22nd of April there will be a storytelling session at the public library at 17:30.
  • SENCELLES: From the 20th of April until the 25th of April, different activities will take place in Plaça de la Vila de Sencelles and at the municipal library. 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.