El Día de Sant Jordi -  Barcelona
St. George's day - Barcelona
Date: 23rd April 2009
Location: Various locations in Barcelona

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  Click here to see photos of Sant Jordi's day in Barcelona

In Catalonia the local and traditional version of Valentine's day it Dia de Sant Jordi, which is celebrated on April 23rd every year.

This is not a public holiday, just a special day, because it is the most romantic day of the year. The whole of Barcelona and especially the famous pedestrian street La Rambla in Barcelona is transformed into a huge flower market and book stall. 

The tradition is that men give women a single rose and that women give the men a book in tribute to Cervantes,  who died on this day in 1616, which happens to be the date of Shakespeare's death as well!

The books are usually good value for money, but the rose prices are steep on this day, from 5 to 10 euros for one long stemmed rose, so if you have many romantic involvments you might want to stock up the day before Sant Jordi's.