Current location:travel >>
Spanish city of Barcelona celebrates day of books and love
travel8People have gathered around
IntroductionThousands of people were on the streets of the northeastern Spanish city of Barcelona on Tuesday for ...
Thousands of people were on the streets of the northeastern Spanish city of Barcelona on Tuesday for a local festival that celebrates reading and love that coincides with the World Book Day of the Organization of the United Nations for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO).
The streets of the city, one of Spain's major tourist centers, were filled with local residents and visitors from all over the world who strolled in the spring sunshine browsing the many book and rose stalls set up for the traditional feast day of Saint George (Sant Jordi in Catalan).
Up to seven million roses and almost two million books will be sold throughout the day, according to the forecasts by the respective sectors.
The celebration has its origins in the legend of Saint George, a Roman knight who, it is said, saved a princess from the clutches of a dragon from whose blood a rosebush of red roses sprouted.
From this story, the custom was born about six centuries ago in Catalonia, the region where Barcelona is located, of exchanging roses and books, in a show of affection equivalent to Valentine's Day, but which is also common among family and friends.
"For the book ecosystem here the Day of the Book is fundamental and the chance for independent booksellers like us to go onto the streets and meet people makes it the most important day of the year," said the manager of one of the stands, Lucia Leandro.
The book sector says it expects on this one day to make revenue of more than 22 million euros (23.5 million dollars), an amount that represents around 10 percent of annual sales.
"Everyone is out there on the streets of the city browsing through books, and it is true that we buy a lot of books, but we also have to read them," said Ivan Fernandez, a local resident.
The holiday is also an opportunity for local writers to boost their sales by signing books at the stands.
One of them is Sonia del Campo, who was signing Spanish and Catalan versions of her book "Vidas" at a stand, which delves into topics such as sexist violence or immigration through the story of ten women.
"In other places there are book fairs that can last a week, but here it is one day and it is the day when all the writers come out to sign their books," she told Xinhua.
Proclaimed by the General Conference of UNESCO in 1995, World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated every April 23 because it was on this day in 1616 that the three great writers, William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega died.
The theme chosen for this year is "Read Your Way", to highlight the importance of developing a love of reading.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Stellar Station news portal”。http://faroeislands.soorot.com/news-41f998991.html
Related articles
The government wants to buy their flood
travelHOUSTON (AP) — After the floodwaters earlier this month just about swallowed two of the six homes th ...
【travel】
Read moreTwo Finnish passenger jets are forced to turn around mid
travelRussia is risking an air disaster as it continues GPS jamming, with navigation signal interference f ...
【travel】
Read moreSports betting roundup: NBA, NHL playoffs rolling on; NFL rookie of the year odds set
travelThe NBA and NHL playoffs are nearing the end of their first-round series, and 76ers-Knicks has been ...
【travel】
Read more
Popular articles
- Adams, Reyna, Turner, Ream are US concerns ahead of Copa America
- Billy Joel serenades ex
- Astros promote 1B prospect Loperfido as Abreu's struggles continue for slumping team
- Conservative states challenge federal rule on treatment of transgender students
- Analysis: Larson enters conversation with Verstappen as best drivers in the world
- ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ returns for a ‘nail
Latest articles
Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car
Former teacher at New Hampshire youth detention center testifies about bruised teens
Tesla, Domino's Pizza rise; AMC Entertainment, SoFi Technologies fall, Monday, 4/29/2024
Jennifer Lopez wears Jackie O
Britain's new bonkers EV: Callum Skye is an £80k electric buggy built in Warwickshire
Bruins, Hurricanes, Canucks and Avalanche look to advance to second round of the NHL playoffs
LINKS
- Children Experience Different Activities During Summer Vacation Across China
- GLOBALink
- Children Attend Event as 'Little Architects' Ahead of Int'l Children's Day in Xi'an
- Skill Training Classes Provided for Locals to Boost Employment in Sanjiang, China's Guangxi
- Skill Training Classes Provided for Locals to Boost Employment in Sanjiang, China's Guangxi
- China's Online Payment Users Top 900 Mln: Report
- China Vows to Improve Eye Care Services for Children, Seniors
- Blueberries Enter Harvest Season in China's Guizhou
- China Focus: Multi
- More Graduates Opt to Work in Lower