E
very year on 23 April, Mallorca celebrates Sant Jordi, one of the most important cultural days in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. On this day, bookshops move out onto the streets, authors meet readers for signings, and hundreds of roses are exchanged across the island as part of a long-standing tradition.
The celebration of Sant Jordi combines two traditions that developed over time and are now inseparable. The first comes from the legend of Sant Jordi. According to the story, the knight defeated a dragon to save a princess, and from the dragon’s blood grew a red rose. This is why roses are traditionally given on this day, originally from men to women, although today the exchange goes both ways. The second element is literary. 23 April coincides with the deaths of Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare, which led to the date being recognised internationally as World Book Day by the UNESCO in 1995. In Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, this evolved into the custom of gifting books.
Together, these two traditions form the basis of Sant Jordi today. The rose symbolises affection and connection, while the book represents culture, ideas and knowledge. For many locals, it is also considered a more authentic “day of lovers” than Valentine’s Day, while still remaining strongly connected to language, reading and cultural expression.
In Mallorca, the main celebrations take place in the centre of Palma, where the city is set up for a day of walking and browsing. The streets are lined with temporary stands from bookshops, publishers and florists. Many local bookstores such as Rata Corner or La Biblioteca de Babel bring their collections outdoors, often accompanied by readings or author signings.
