There are days when social networks leave the anger and mud aside. They are rare, but they exist. Yesterday was one of them. The main topics of conversation, not discussion, in X were about books and roses. It is appreciated. The images of authors and readers on the streets of Barcelona breathe a certain hope in times of uncertainty, such as those we currently live in.
In Gaza, peace is neither there nor expected, while Ukraine demands more weapons to repel the attacks of the Russian army. Europe decides its future by voting in a month and a half, and in Spain we are no strangers to the problems. Housing is one of the most important. In fact, the Bank of Spain certified that 600,000 homes will be needed, when the private sector is barely capable of building 10,000 properties a year. At this rate, in 2084 the market will adjust. The road is full of curves. That’s why days like yesterday are to be savored.
Sant Jordi once again brought together writers with readers and reconciled the fact that we Spaniards continue to support culture. According to the Federation of Editors’ Guilds of Spain (FGEE), reading habits remain stable among Spaniards after the pandemic. Two out of every three citizens read in their free time, either a book or a newspaper, and one out of every two acquired a novel, an essay or a volume of poetry in the last year.
The Sant Jordi day also filled the streets with roses again, for them. A tradition that, thanks to social networks, is also spreading to other parts of the country. It is also appreciated.
But as there is everything in the Lord’s vineyard, in Sant Jordi there was also some dissonant note with the atmosphere of fraternization. Feijóo proposed to Puigdemont “that the Constitution be read” and Jorge Azcón, president of Aragon, had the blunder of the day, stating that “in Catalonia Sant Jordi is celebrated because in Aragon San Jorge is celebrated.” Vox – which even demanded the censorship of, among others, the theatrical performance ‘The Villain of Getafe’ by Lope de Vega – cited the author as an example of “Spaniards who were part of the Tercios and who wielded sword and pen in equal parts.” Curious celebration for those who do not want some works to be enjoyed: “Today is your day, thank you so much!”
They told us that we would emerge from the pandemic stronger, although day-to-day life calls this into question. What became clear yesterday is that in Sant Jordi we are happy. And that is important in these times.
