Book Day

So it's that day in Spain, especially in Catalonia. It all started ages ago when it was just Lovers' Day in Catalonia and men gave a rose to their girl (a rose because it's St. George's flower, and it's St. George today). Then with the deaths of Shakespeare and Cervantes on the same day the tradition changed a little and girls still got a rose but they also gave a book to their boyfriends / husbands.

Over time, girls tend to get both a book and a rose and boys just a book :P

It's a nice traidition that I have always, always loved. And now since my boyfriend is from Catalonia he takes it very seriously :P So this morning I woke up to find a virtual rose in my e-mail account and in about three weeks when he comes over here I'll be getting my book (and he his, of course ).

The streets of Barcelona today are full of stalls selling books and roses. I have never been there for this day but I'm so looking forward to being able to someday

Oh, and happy national day to those in England

Sounds nice Keba

And thanks for reminding me the date : St Georges ..... it's my nephew's bday

Did you know this? I just found out!

Did Cervantes and Shakespeare die on the same day?
It is often stated that Cervantes died on the same day as his English counterpart William Shakespeare, namely April 23, 1616. This is not correct. They did die on the same date, but not on the same day.

Spain adopted the Gregorian calendar (or New Style) immediately in 1582. But England stayed with the Julian calendar (Old Style) until 1752. In the 16th and 17th centuries the Gregorian calendar was 10 days ahead of the Julian calendar. So Cervantes died on April 23, 1616 in the Gregorian calendar, but Shakespeare died ten days later on April 23, 1616 in the Julian calendar, which is the same day as May 3, 1616 in the Gregorian calendar.

This sounds like a wonderful tradition. As a die hard reader. anytime a book is exchanged is a good time as far as I'm concerned.

Kathleen