Catalonia – Spain

23rd April

Catalonia is in the North of Spain. It’s got 4 provinces: Barcelona, Tarragona, Lleida and Girona.

The official languages are Catalan and Spanish.

The flag is red and yellow. It has 4 red stripes and 5 yellow stripes. It’s called “Senyera”.

English Catalan Spanish

Hello! Hola! Hola!

What’s your name? Com et dius? ¿Cómo te llamas?

My name is … El meu nom és … Mi nombre es …

Thank you! Gràcies! ¡Gracias!

Saint George’s day is always on the 23rd of April.

Saint George was a knight.

The legend says that he killed a dragon, thatlived in a town called Montblanc, in order to

savea princess. He became the patron

Saint of Catalonia.

St. George's Day has been celebrated since 1436. In Catalonia St. George's day coincides with the

Fair of the Book and the Rose.

On this day every man offers a rose to his loved one

(wife or fiancée), and in return she gives him a book.

The book is in memory of Cervantes. This custom was started in 1926, to commemorate Cervantes death (author of "Don Quijote").

Pupils write poems and stories because we celebrate a

literary contest. The winners get a rose. We also organise a book exchange.

People eat “Saint George’s bread”. It is a type of bread made with “sobrassada”, which is a Mallorcan spicy pork sausage that can be spread. The bread looks like the Catalan flag.

Sobrassada Saint George’s bread