The custom of giving a rose and a book on this date, though seemingly a single tradition, has its roots in two different origins. The older part dates back to the medieval legend of Sant Jordi, patron saint of Catalonia. According to the tale, a rose bush sprouted from the dragon's blood, and Sant Jordi cut a rose from it to give to the princess.
Since the 15th century, Barcelona hosted the Fira dels Enamorats (Lovers' Fair), where men would give roses to women visiting Sant Jordi's chapel. This gesture, initially one of courtesy and recognition, evolved into a more egalitarian expression of sincere affection, where anyone can give a rose as a symbol of fondness.
“"The rose became a way of saying: I admire you, I respect you, I celebrate you, or I love you."
The book was incorporated into this celebration much later. In 1926, publisher Vicente Clavel proposed establishing a Book Festival in honor of Cervantes. After several date changes, April 23rd was definitively set in 1930, a day traditionally associated with the deaths of Cervantes and Shakespeare. Although the coincidence is more symbolic than exact, as Cervantes died on April 22, 1616 (buried on the 23rd) and Shakespeare on April 23rd according to the Julian calendar, which would be May 3rd today.
This date, transformed into a universal tribute to literature, was adopted in 1995 by UNESCO as World Book and Copyright Day. Thus, in Catalonia, two distinct celebrations—the medieval rose and the 20th-century book—converged on the same day. From the mid-20th century, giving a book and a rose became a shared custom, spreading throughout Spain.
The tradition works due to its balance: the rose symbolizes affection, while the book represents intellectual recognition. It is a way of expressing both love and admiration, offering something beautiful and something that encourages reflection. This balance has allowed the tradition to endure through time, trends, and new technologies.
“"In that small exchange—a rose and a book—a powerful idea is encapsulated: that thinking and feeling are not opposing worlds, but complementary ones."
Although there are Book Day celebrations and traditions of giving flowers in other countries, the uniqueness of Sant Jordi lies in the fusion of both gestures into a collective and public celebration. This festival transforms entire cities, filling bookstores, schools, libraries, and squares with life, and turning strolls into journeys through stories and conversations centered on literature. It is a way of inhabiting public space through words and affection, reminding us that culture can also be a gift and love an act of reading.
