23.04.2014 - 10:20
Each year on Sant Jordi (April 23), the center of Barcelona is filled with bookstands and the crowds of people who go to buy them. It’s like a river of two arms (Passeig de Gràcia and Rambla de Catalunya, two of Barcelona’s principle boulevards) that meet at Plaça Catalunya and head toward the sea. We hope you will stop in a few special spots, that make the day even more literary. And, since the festival of Sant Jordi is celebrated throughout the Catalan speaking territory, we will uncover what they’ve got going in Valencia, Perpinyà, Palma and La Franja, as well.
Although it’s a workday, Barcelona acts like it’s Sunday. It’s a day for a stroll, as long as there’s no rain, even if it’s hard to navigate the rivers of people. That’s why, to enjoy a day of books, of literature and of language, we propose a few literary stops, that will help make your morning or afternoon pleasant.
Art libris at Sant Monica
At the start of the Rambla, almost at the port, the Arts Santa Mònica center welcomes the fifth Ars Libris, the international expo of art and artists’ books. It begins at 1pm and lasts until Sunday. There will be music and a special guest this year, because books can be looked at and touched, but also listened to.
The Documenta bookstore says goodbye with poetry
Up the Rambla, almost to and across from the Liceu Opera House, the Documenta bookstore has set up a bookstand dedicated to poetry, a genre that often gets short shrift on Sant Jordi. Poetry lovers will find not only a good selection of books, but also a collection of the poets themselves who will sign books and perhaps even recite. They are in charge of bidding adieu to the Documenta bookstore, on Cardenal Casañes street. It will be Documenta’s last Sant Jordi in the old part of town, since next year it will move to a new location in the Eixample, having been pushed out by high rents.
Library of Catalonia (Biblioteca de Catalunya)
Each year for Sant Jordi, the Library of Catalonia, on Hospital Street opens its doors from 10am to 7:30pm. There are guided group tours and also free visits, with the possibility (new this year) of following an itinerary of QR codes distributed along the tour, and in some places, experiencing augmented reality. In the same complex, you’ll find the Institut d’Estudis Catalans (Institute of Catalan Studies), also open to the public. It’s one of the only opportunities of the year to visit the Mercè Rodoreda Gardens, which belongs to the Institute, where the writer’s favorite plants and flowers are grown, many of which appeared in her books.
Espai Mallorca
On the same side of the Rambla, a few blocks higher, in the Vicenç Martorell square, the new Espai Mallorca (Mallorca Space) celebrates its first anniversary in its new location and with a new project (video). They have a special program with book signings and poetry readings with Lucia Pietrelli.
Barcelona Athenaeum
On the other side, almost to Plaça Catalonia, take Canuda Street to get to the Barcelona Athenaeum (Ateneu Barcelonès), which also opens its doors for Sant Jordi. Starting at noon they’ll have a public reading of the three finalists for the Crexells prize, with Pep Coll, Joan-Lluís Lluís and Carles Terès. They are also organizing a digital photography contest “Sant Jordi at the Athenaeum”.
Valencia, the backlist and a slogan: “The word makes the country”
Núria Cadenes, manager of the 3i4 bookstore in Valencia explained to VilaWeb that it’s her second year celebrating Sant Jordi at the store. “Last year I realized that people really do come to the bookstore to buy books in order to give them to others during the day. The institutions here don’t want to celebrate. Sant Jordi is like an underground festival in the city of Valencia, but people want to celebrate. And we intend to spread Sant Jordi around!”
Perpinyà, celebrating Sant Jordi at the right moment
Joana Serra, in charge of the Catalana bookstore in Perpinyà, explains how they celebrate Sant Jordi, “Since Sant Jordi unfortunately is not a well-known festival in Northern Catalonia, most of the events that revolve around books are celebrated on the closest weekend. That’s why the city governments, groups and associations who set up events will hold them next weekend. Just the same, we booksellers keep trying to celebrate it on the real day. That’s why for Sant Jordi at our bookstore, we’ll hold activities for the kids all afternoon (since there’s no school on Wednesday afternoons), with a story hour, rose activity, and a snack.”
Palma, a mosaic of book stalls spread through the city
In Mallorca, there will be many spaces throughout the city with book stalls and authors signing books.
La Franja, a variety of women authors for a Sant Jordi of rural literature
Bookseller Octavi Serret who owns Serret de Vall-de-roures bookstore in Matarranya, is preparing a Sant Jordi celebration rich with women’s voices. Authors Marta Momblant Ribas, Lola Salmeron and Silvia Mayans will share a book stall and roses in order to offer the best of their writing. Visitors will be able to share their experiences with rural literature.
