Ahh, the romance of it – roses, a gallant knight defeating the dragon for the beautiful princess and … er, well, books.

Yes, it’s San Jordi’s (that’s Saint George’s to the rest of us) day on Thursday (23rd) in Catalunya. According to local legend, it was actually here that the dragon was slayed, in order to save a beautiful princess who was next on the list to be offered up as a sacrifice.  Where the dragon’s blood spilled a rose bush sprang.

So the tradition is that the ladies all receive a red rose.

Just to mix things up a bit with this date, though, it’s also the day that both Cervantes and Shakespeare died.  So, the boys are all bought a book by their loved ones.

Confused or not, there is none of the cynicism that greetsValentine’s Day back home – it is a tradition that is followed by almost everyone here, from 3 year olds buying their mum’s a rose up to senior citizens getting dressed up and braving the hoards in the book and rose stalls on Passeig de Gracia and Rambla de Catalunya.

So get yourself out and buy something for the significant other – and if there isn’t one, boys grab a rose and make a girl’s day and girls, there’s no shortage of men doing just that.

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