Sant Jordi: A Day of Flowers, Books & Culture in Catalonia
Every year on April 23rd, the streets of Barcelona come alive with roses, books and celebrations.
The Diada de Sant Jordi is one of the most beloved days in Catalonia. It blends romance, literature and tradition in a way that’s both poetic and profoundly rooted in local culture.
The tradition is simple yet poetic: people gift each other red roses and books as a symbol of love and appreciation. The streets transform into a vibrant mix of flower stalls, bookstands and celebration.
As a floral designer working in this city, I find this day endlessly inspiring.
The Legend Behind the Rose
The origin of this unique Catalan celebration lies in a poetic legend. In the medieval town of Montblanc, a terrifying dragon once roamed freely, threatening the lives of villagers. To appease the beast, people sacrificed their livestock - until none were left. Eventually, humans were chosen by lottery to be offered to the dragon.
One fateful day, the king's daughter was selected. Just as the dragon prepared to devour her, a brave knight named Sant Jordi appeared. With a strike of his sword, he killed the dragon, saving the princess. From the dragon's blood, a red rose bloomed - a symbol of love and courage. The knight handed the rose to the princess and the people rejoiced.
This touching story is at the heart of Sant Jordi, where the rose became a symbol of love and the celebration evolved into a beautiful mix of floral tradition and literature.
A Modern Celebration of Flowers and Books
Historically, men gave women red roses and women gifted books to men. Today, everyone gives and receives both, blurring the lines of tradition in the best way.
All over Barcelona, and throughout Catalonia, flower stalls line the streets and bookshops set up stands filled with timeless classics and contemporary reads.
In 1995, UNESCO declared April 23rd as World Book Day, strengthening the connection between literature and Sant Jordi.
A Floral Event to Remember: Mosaic x Norrsken
This year, Mosaic Studio Floral marked Sant Jordi with a special floral design workshop in collaboration with Norrsken, a Barcelona-based nonprofit startup hub dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs tackling global challenges through technology and innovation.
Together, we invited guests into a world of creativity, nature, and storytelling - teaching the art of bouquet-making in celebration of the Catalan tradition.
It was more than just a workshop - it was a celebration where design met heritage, and participants left with handcrafted floral creations, a deeper connection to Catalan culture and of course, a rose in hand.
