Tomorrow is Sant Jordi (Saint Georges), the Patron Saint of Catalonia, and although it is not a holiday, it is a day for celebration in Barcelona.
It also the Book´s day, a tradition originated here which has been exported to other countries, including Japan. In 1996, the UNESCO declared the 23rd of April as the International Book´s Day. Most new titles are launched tomorrow, books are sold in the streets and well established writers will sign their books at the main bookshops. Streets will be packed with people and you will see many Catalan flags decorating stalls, buses, balconies or in window displays.
Additionally, it is the day of the rose in which gentlemen offer red roses to ladies. Roses are sold in the streets and many organisations take advantage of this day to raise some money by selling them. They are also offered by bookshops and other shops. Do you want to impress somebody with a virtual rose? This option is available from several websites of catalan organisations and media. This is the one of La Vanguardia, the main newspaper published in Barcelona http://rosa.lavanguardia.es/.
The Palau de la Generalitat, the siege of the Catalan Government at the Plaça Sant Jaume, in the old town, will be open to the public. Behind the neoclassical façade you will be able to discover parts of the building dating back to the XVth century.
It will be a great spring day!!!
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