23 April is the national day of Catalonia. And not only because St George (or “Sant Jordi” in Catalan) is the patron saint of Catalonia but also because the saint’s day has come to represent Catalan language and culture. There is a long tradition in Catalonia of giving books and roses to loved-ones on 23 April. But St George’s Day is an increasingly international holiday. Inspired in part by the Catalan tradition, UNESCO declared 23 April International Book Day in 1995.

Catalan social and cultural organizations and Catalan public institutions abroad have contributed hugely to this phenomenon. Around the world events are held to promote Catalan culture as well as literature and culture in general.

The “Casals catalans” (or Catalan centres, list), the organizations set up abroad by Catalan exiles after the Spanish Civil War and during the Franco dictatorship, are among the most active proponents of this increasingly international tradition. Official institutions representing the Catalan Government, such as the Maison de la Catalogne in Paris and the Institut Ramon Llull, present in twelve countries, also play a major part.

2008 is also the year of Mercè Rodoreda, one of the greatest and most translated Catalan writers of all time. Rodoreda surely makes an excellent ambassador for Catalan culture across the globe.

Further information:

• Vilaweb: Les novetats i les activitats d'un dia intens
• MónDivers: Més de 20 entitats reivindiquen el català com a «llengua comuna»
  
• Directe.cat: Els catalans compraran prop de 6 milions de roses aquest dimecres
• Generalitat de Catalunya: Sant Jordi around the world