Sant Jordi: Culture, Reading and Community at St. Paul’s
Every year on April 23rd, all of Catalonia fills with books, roses, and a very special spirit of celebration. It’s Sant Jordi’s Day, one of the most cherished traditions for young and old alike. But… do you really know the story behind this festivity and why it holds such deep meaning for our educational community?
A story with deep roots
The figure of Sant Jordi has very ancient origins. He was a Roman soldier in the 3rd century who was martyred for defending his Christian faith. Over time, his bravery inspired many legends, including that of the knight who saves a princess from a dragon, from whose blood a rosebush grows. This tale, filled with courage, justice and beauty, has become a symbol of Catalan culture.
And what about the books?
The link between Sant Jordi and World Book Day is relatively recent. In 1926, writer Vicente Clavel proposed a day dedicated to books to commemorate the birth of Miguel de Cervantes. The first celebration was held on October 7th and was a great success.
In 1930, the date was moved to April 23rd to take advantage of the good weather—and because it coincides symbolically with the deaths of both Cervantes and William Shakespeare. This coincidence gave even greater meaning to the Catalan tradition of giving a book and a rose: culture and love in a single gesture.
In 1995, UNESCO officially declared April 23rd as World Book Day, inspired precisely by this Catalan celebration.
At St. Paul’s, a day to share
At St. Paul’s School, Sant Jordi is much more than a Catalan tradition. It’s a celebration that reflects who we are as a community. A day to share stories, nurture curiosity, express ideas, and enjoy the joy of learning together. Every year, we mark the occasion with:
- Book exchanges
- Theatrical performances
- Literary contests
- Floral tributes
Growing through reading, step by step
At St. Paul’s, reading grows alongside our students. At every stage of their education, living through books holds a special meaning:
- For Early Years, the magic of a story read aloud awakens emotion, imagination and first connections with words.
- In Primary, we celebrate the joy of learning to read, step by step, until children discover they can do it on their own.
- And in Secondary and Bachillerato, reading becomes a powerful tool for expressing personal ideas, thinking critically, and writing with individuality.
- Throughout this journey, we encourage reading as a way to communicate better, enrich our lives, and deepen our conversations.
Reading at St. Paul’s is about growing. It’s about discovering new realities, finding our own voices, and learning to listen more deeply to others.
A tradition that brings us together
In our global world, being able to experience local traditions with an open and universal mindset is one of the values we aim to instill in our students. Sant Jordi reminds us that stories have power, that beauty can grow even from conflict, and that sometimes, a simple gesture—like giving a book or a rose—can speak louder than a thousand words.
Happy Sant Jordi’s Day to our community!