Your current location:HOME >opinions >Spanish city of Barcelona celebrates day of books and love 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 14:54:05 Source: Internet compilationEdit:opinions
Thousands of people were on the streets of the northeastern Spanish city of Barcelona on Tuesday for
Thousands of people were on the streets of the northeastern Spanish city of Barcelona on Tuesday for a local festival that celebrates reading and love that coincides with the World Book Day of the Organization of the United Nations for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO).
The streets of the city, one of Spain's major tourist centers, were filled with local residents and visitors from all over the world who strolled in the spring sunshine browsing the many book and rose stalls set up for the traditional feast day of Saint George (Sant Jordi in Catalan).
Up to seven million roses and almost two million books will be sold throughout the day, according to the forecasts by the respective sectors.
The celebration has its origins in the legend of Saint George, a Roman knight who, it is said, saved a princess from the clutches of a dragon from whose blood a rosebush of red roses sprouted.
From this story, the custom was born about six centuries ago in Catalonia, the region where Barcelona is located, of exchanging roses and books, in a show of affection equivalent to Valentine's Day, but which is also common among family and friends.
"For the book ecosystem here the Day of the Book is fundamental and the chance for independent booksellers like us to go onto the streets and meet people makes it the most important day of the year," said the manager of one of the stands, Lucia Leandro.
The book sector says it expects on this one day to make revenue of more than 22 million euros (23.5 million dollars), an amount that represents around 10 percent of annual sales.
"Everyone is out there on the streets of the city browsing through books, and it is true that we buy a lot of books, but we also have to read them," said Ivan Fernandez, a local resident.
The holiday is also an opportunity for local writers to boost their sales by signing books at the stands.
One of them is Sonia del Campo, who was signing Spanish and Catalan versions of her book "Vidas" at a stand, which delves into topics such as sexist violence or immigration through the story of ten women.
"In other places there are book fairs that can last a week, but here it is one day and it is the day when all the writers come out to sign their books," she told Xinhua.
Proclaimed by the General Conference of UNESCO in 1995, World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated every April 23 because it was on this day in 1616 that the three great writers, William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega died.
The theme chosen for this year is "Read Your Way", to highlight the importance of developing a love of reading.
Bella Hadid goes braless in a thigh2024-05-21 14:53
Tākaka man who died in mysterious circumstances named2024-05-21 14:13
Woman burned during beauty treatment: 'It was really terrifying'2024-05-21 14:05
Mideast tensions loom ahead of Biden meeting with Iraqi PM al2024-05-21 14:01
Strictly star Giovanni Pernice's former partner Rose Ayling2024-05-21 13:09
Cluster fears over new HK virus cases2024-05-21 13:03
Planes collide at Heathrow, no one hurt2024-05-21 13:02
China endorses Hong Kong national security law as debate delayed by politician hurling rotten plant2024-05-21 12:47
Amtrak train hits pickup truck in upstate New York, 3 dead including child2024-05-21 12:35
Planes collide at Heathrow, no one hurt2024-05-21 12:10
NBA playoffs: Edwards leads Wolves to 982024-05-21 14:19
'No new guns': Luxon's promise ahead of gun law reform2024-05-21 14:06
Luxon defends decision not to attend nationwide hui2024-05-21 13:58
Coronavirus update: Italy to get aid from Germany, Spain's death rate passes China's2024-05-21 13:41
Philippines blames China for loss of giant clams in disputed shoal and urges environmental inquiry2024-05-21 13:30
National expected to instill need for discipline at caucus retreat2024-05-21 13:18
China's local virus cases down2024-05-21 12:41
Hundreds of lizards seized in Australia police bust2024-05-21 12:16
Pope trip to Luxembourg, Belgium confirmed for September, 2 weeks after challenging Asia visit2024-05-21 12:15
Tākaka man who died in mysterious circumstances named2024-05-21 12:13