St. George’s Day

by ViTo • April 23, 2006 1 comment

St. George is the patron Saint of Catalonia. St. George’s Day is celebrated in and around Catalonia since 1436. It is a festive day with many popular and cultural celebrations. The Fair of the Book and the Rose is held: Every man offers a rose to his loved one (wife or fiancée), and in return she gives him a book. This custom was started in 1926, to commemorate Cervantes death. In 1995, the 23rd of April was designated World Book Day by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, based on the Catalan tradition.

The Legend: Saint George in Montblanc
It is said that the legend of St. George, the Dragon and the Princess happened in the village of Montblanc a long time ago. The dragon was the most powerful of all the dragons because it could move through the sky, on land and through water. And the Princess who was the next in line to the throne was the king’s beloved daughter. The terror imposed by the dragon was terrible. Every day it devoured a couple of lambs. And when it was given oxes and horses it still was not satisfied . And this continued until they had to make a draw in order to give a person to appease the beast’s hunger. And the king who was of royal descent, catalan, and who lived in the village, wanted to put his family in the draw. And out of the pot came the name of the princess. The king accepted the outcome and did not want to change the sacrifice for any other person who offered to change places with the princess. Dressed in white, the princess went to be sacrificed. Suddently a young knight appeared, armed from head to toe , riding a white horse in order to free her. He was as beautiful as the sun, a foreigner and was called George. He rammed furiously the dragon that was heading for the princess. He left it half dead, confused and finished. Then, he tied up the dragon with the princess’ belt, the dragon wounded and obedient, followed him like sheep. After, with his lance he finished of the dragon, who on dying melted into the ground, and where the dragon had been a rose bush grew with roses, red like blood. St. George picked the most beautiful one and offered to the princess. He mounted his horse and amongst shouts of joy and happiness rode through the gate of the city walls where today in memorance it is still called the ‘Portal de Sant Jordi’. All of this happened in front of the king’s eyes and inhabitants of Montblanc who contemplated with fear the battle. It was for this reason that St.George was chosen to be the patron of the village a long time ago, until over a period of time it was forgotten.

- Adaptation from the book ‘Religious traditions of Catalonia.
St. George and the dragon of the four elements’, Anna de Valldaura -

I wish you a happy Saint George’s Day.