Happy Sant Jordi, everyone! This is one of my favorite Catalan holidays, because it involves a dragon, a princess, and presents! In this case, books and roses. Here in Barcelona we will be walking along the Rambla visiting booksellers and florists with our loved ones in a tradition that began with a saint and was commercialized (romantically!) by the publishing industry.
Readers in New York can also get in on the Sant Jordi fun. The Catalan Institute is co-sponsoring some really fantastic cultural events this spring, some for Sant Jordi and some more throughout the month of May. Here is just a taste of some of the programs:
Sant Jordi Books & Roses Event
The central part of the event is a panel of distinguished speakers: Alexander Alland, Jr., former Chair of the Department of Anthropology at Columbia University, will present his book “Catalunya, One Nation,Two States”
Magali Souriau and her jazz trio will arrange a special concert performing works of Tete Montoliu.
To celebrate the tradition of Sant Jordi, Books and Roses will be exchanged and given away to attendants. Over 200 books related to Catalonia and the Catalan culture will be available free of charge.
Pastissier chef Jordi Ferrer will prepare an exquisite Catalan brunch accompanied with assorted delicacies.
For more info click here | RSVP required to <strong>rsvp [at] friendsofcatalonia [dot] com
Catalan Days:
Arts, Food and Literature from Catalonia and the Balearic Islands
April 15 – May 20
Catalan Music, Dance, Film, Theater, Literature and Cuisine at the PEN World Voices Festival, the CUNY Graduate Center, the Baryshnikov Arts Center, Carnegie Hall, Jazz Standard and the Film Society of Lincoln Center.
Click here to visit the official website of Catalan Days. | Many events are free of charge! Some have very reasonably priced tickets.
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery Street
Tickets: $10/$5 PEN Members at the door
May 1, 7:00 P.M.-8:30 P.M.
A cast of international poets present a reading: Fuad Rivka from Beirut, Nicole Brossard from Quebec, the Catalan poet NarcÃs Comadira, János Térey from Hungary, Uwe Kolbe, and Wayne Koestenbaum.
May 1, 9.00 P.M.
The Translation Slam [sweet!!]
Internationally renowned translators will take the spotlight and test their linguistic mettle against each other in translation duels.
ClandestÃ: Forbidden Catalan Cinema under Franco
May 8-12, 2009
Amazing film series, I wish I could fly to New York just to see these films!
View film series info and lineup | Tickets are cheap, you like movies, go to the movies!