Book Day has been celebrated in Barcelona since 1926 and is associated with April 23, Sant Jordi’s Day, the anniversary of the deaths of Cervantes and Shakespeare, since 1931. It constitutes a successful story of spectacular citizen participation since its beginnings, even maintained, changing dates, during the Spanish civil war.
For the book sector it is a key day, “the 13th month of the year” in turnover, and one of the ideas that have regularly circulated was that it worked well because it was a spontaneous holiday, the result of the initiative of booksellers. , editors and professional and amateur florists, and therefore it did not have to be touched or regulated institutionally, so that it would not spoil.
In 2005, with the Year of the Book and Reading, a week of literary events was organized for the first time around the 23rd, which to different degrees was consolidated, with initiatives such as the municipal proclamation by a prestigious author.
In 2016 and 2017, different booksellers complained to the City Council that on the central roads (Rambla Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia, Rambla) only 15% of the space was dedicated to the sale of books; The rest were occupied by pink positions, various organizations and political parties. In 2019, the Chamber of Books chaired by Patrici Tixis took up his complaint and asked for some type of regulation.
The pandemic and confinement arrive, which means that in 2021 the Councilor for Culture Joan Subirats promotes the orderly layout of Passeig de Gràcia with security measures for exhibitors and attendees. Starting in 2022, the City Council organizes seven districts with designated space for sales and signing of books, direct electricity and responsible personnel. The Generalitat contributes financially to the reform.
With the new system, the number of book stalls has doubled. Although there were those who feared the consequences of excessive municipal interventionism, the day has ceased to be a “spontaneous celebration” and now has an institutional umbrella to the satisfaction of the sector, according to what we have been able to hear from its spokespersons (although some office holders have complained about the 80 euro tax they had to pay in certain areas).
Regarding private meetings, in the 50s and 60s of the last century the day ended with scattered literary gatherings, such as the famous one at the Argos bookstore by Ignacio Agustí. In the 90s, Qué Leer magazine launched a pioneering vigil party on April 22 for authors, both local and those from the city, editors and people from the book world, which became massive.
When this initiative disappears, its place and time slot has been occupied since 2014 by the now traditional La Vanguardia literary party at the Alma hotel, which is usually attended by about 500 guests and where the coveted cover photo for the newspaper of the day is orchestrated. following.
A few days before, the Drac Party brought together young editors. On the 23rd the ICUB invites you to have breakfast at the Virreina. Penguin Random House provides a lunch for authors and friends of the house. Led by journalist Àlex Salmon, formerly with El Mundo and now with El Periódico, Dry Martini serves a cocktail in the afternoon, and the Planeta group a late-day snack at Luz de Gas. Babelia from El País has premiered her party, and Continuará-TVE’s party disappeared.
That all these parties exist is not nonsense. Although they are not open, they give weight and visibility to the Barcelona book ecosystem, they encourage dialogue between their protagonists, they add shine. They consolidate what French sociologists, who have tirelessly studied these issues – and also some Spaniards – call “literary sociability.” Essential for a city with a vocation as a literary and publishing capital on a global scale.
The debate about whether the day should favor the most literary authors or the so-called media authors has been going on for almost thirty years, when the latter entered the scene: on April 25, 1998 La Vanguardia published the report “Un Sant Jordi “sick of tele””, with the subtitle “Editors and critics give their opinion on the triumph of television authors on the last day of the Book”. It shows no signs of disappearing. The manifestos against the alleged commercialization of April 23 have been taking place over time; They are part of the ritual around this date, which requires both the greatest popular hits and the most intellectually demanding creation.
Another classic, from militant nationalism, lies in considering the festival of Sant Jordi less Catalan than it should be, despite the fact that from Barcelona it has radiated to all of Catalonia; This year, in that area, they did not like that the Town Hall sign showed walkers, stalls, books, roses, good weather, good vibes, streetlights… but no senyeras.
Barcelona Book Day has many derivatives; It is inevitable – and positive – that some are controversial. But there is a message to highlight: it is a unique festival in the world, which universalizes us and should be valued, enjoyed and favored.