Tag: William Shakespeare

Almost a century ago, business-savvy publishers turned it into a book-selling event. Ada Colau, Barcelona’s far-left mayor, wore a yellow rose as a lapel pin, a nod to the yellow ribbon that has become the symbol of Catalans demanding the release of jailed Catalan politicians awaiting trial for rebellion, after briefly declaring independence from Spain last October. “Of course Sant Jordi is always a great feast, but it’s also true that this Sant Jordi isn’t like all others, and that we now have people who are in prison instead of being out on the streets, enjoying this with us,” Ms. Colau said. “Catalan society is divided, so Sant Jordi should never be the day to talk politics and divide people even more,” said Álex Sàlmon, the editor of the Catalan edition of El Mundo, a Spanish newspaper. Along the Diagonal avenue, which crosses Barcelona, some people gathered around a book stall to celebrate the fictitious Republic of Tabarnia, a jab at the separatist parties who failed to win a majority of the votes in many parts of Catalonia, including within Barcelona. The book stall was selling copies of nine different books opposed to independence. “Sant Jordi is a very special celebration of Catalan culture, but every day is important to reach our goal of independence.” The feast is also an opportunity for readers to meet their writers. “If people then read them, great, but at least they buy them.” Of course, this year some of the roses were yellow rather than red. “I wanted a yellow rose to make clear that it’s not normal to have people in prison because of their ideas,” said Txema Escorsa, a teacher. “I really care for my family in Andalusia and I’m not against anybody who is Spanish — so I really want them to understand that this is only about being against a Spanish government that’s been hurting Catalans,” she said.