Diada de Sant Jordi (St. George’s Day)

CELEBRATE ST. GEORGE'S DAY: November 10th

Diada de Sant Jordi (St. George’s Day) Spanish Celebration 
11 a.m.-2 p.m. 

Penn West- California University marks Diada de Sant Jordi, or St. George’s Day, with a celebration from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. November 10th on the first floor at the Manderino Library.

Diada de Sant Jordi is an important national feast day in Spain, and UNESCO has declared this holiday the International Day of the Book.

Holiday origins:

According to Spanish lore, the medieval knight George slew a dragon that was terrorizing a Spanish village, and he rescued a princess who was about to be sacrificed to the beast. Blood that flowed from the dragon’s body was transformed into a rose, which the knight presented to the princess.

Since medieval times, men traditionally have recreated the knight’s brave and gracious deed by presenting women with a rose.

In modern times, sweethearts, loved ones and colleagues also exchange books, since the holiday falls close to the dates of death of authors Miguel Cervantes and William Shakespeare.

In the Spanish region of Catalonia, Diada de Sant Jordi also is known as The Day of the Rose and The Day of the Book.

In addition, the Fencing Club will present a demonstration.


Admission to the celebration is free