On Thursday, April 23, the center of Barcelona was filled with people as the city celebrated the traditional Sant Jordi holiday, which this year took place under sunny skies and gathered a record number of participants. According to the organizers, more than 425 professional book and flower sales points were set up throughout the city, along with numerous makeshift stalls, which noticeably enlivened the streets and squares.
The festive atmosphere was especially vibrant on the main avenues, where locals and tourists hurried to choose books and bouquets of roses. On Passeig de Gràcia, lines formed at book stalls from early in the morning, while flower vendors prepared fresh arrangements right before the eyes of passersby. Among the participants were both local residents and guests of the city, many of whom took the opportunity to snap memorable photos against decorated facades, including the famous Casa Batlló.
This year, the holiday stood out not only for its scale but also for its diversity: in addition to official sales points, dozens of small stalls organized by enthusiasts and hobbyists joined the event. According to correspondents’ observations, many city residents came with their families, and tourists actively filmed the proceedings. Special attention was drawn to the building decorations and themed installations dedicated to Sant Jordi.
The celebration took place without any serious incidents, with city services ensuring order and safety along the main routes. According to local media, interest in Sant Jordi has only grown in recent years, as evidenced by the active participation of visitors to the capital of Catalonia. Last year, the festival was also marked by notable events: for example, writer Ali Smith’s appearance amid library workers’ protests became one of the most discussed topics, as detailed in the article about librarians’ reaction to Sant Jordi.
According to the organizers, this year’s format reaffirmed Sant Jordi’s status as one of the largest and most recognizable cultural events in Barcelona. In the coming days, the city will continue to welcome guests, and the book and flower stalls will remain one of the main symbols of the Catalan spring capital.
