The 23rd of April is one of the most representative, identity-reaffirming official holidays in Catalan culture. Congratulations to all the Jordis and Jordines!
The 23rd of April is one of the most representative official holidays in Catalan culture. The Catalan flag, the Senyera, is hung from walls and balconies and in the squares and streets of most Catalan towns and cities. While giving roses to girls is by now an ancient tradition, giving people books is something from our more recent history, from the early 20th century, and has no direct links to the legend, but that is another story.
What many of you may not know is that the important event celebrated on this day is not the death of the dragon, but that of Sant Jordi (St George) himself. On 23rd April in the year 303 AD, the Roman soldier who was later known as St George of Lydda was tortured and beheaded for refusing to persecute Christians.
To celebrate the day of Sant Jordi, this year we have selected an image of the coat of arms of the Democratic Republic of Georgia (1918 – 1921), which represented a brief period of sovereignty that ended when it was absorbed into the USSR.
april 23, 2015
