Frenetic Sant Jordi and Santa Jordina – as some bookstores claimed yesterday – on the Rambla Nova in Tarragona. The formula for success, widely known: day that falls on a weekday, blue skies and sunshine for a good part of the day, and a wide, long stage to enjoy like La Rambla. Almost certain victory.
It didn’t spoil the party or the threat of rain, especially in the early afternoon, with four drops and a few preventive plastics. Nor did the cool weather, with temperatures more winter than April, frighten anyone.
Thousands of people traveled from morning to night the four sections that concentrated the 13 book stalls and the 19 rose stalls, between the Roger de Llúria monument and the Centenary Fountain.
The rest of the stops, up to 137, are mostly occupied by cultural, social and sports organizations. A unique showcase to make yourself known and make some cash. The same that the political parties use every Sant Jordi, each with their stand, with particular fervor 19 days before the elections. Like a strange addition between balloons and plants, a gift, clear.
But roses and books took center stage yesterday. The early ones avoided the large crowds of midday and afternoon. “I can’t avoid buying a lot of books,” explains Alba Escriu, a self-confessed devoted reader. It’s ten in the morning and a couple of books have already fallen into her bag. There were a few more. And Alba reads them all, or rather devours them. An example
Tarragona, which has suffered in recent years by seeing some of its flagship bookstores close, is experiencing a good moment after the launch of new projects by young cooperatives: El Soterrani or La Capona collect on days like yesterday everything they have been sowing for some time with courage and a little unconsciousness.
In Reus, Plaça Mercadal remained small in the afternoon even though drops also fell and a few umbrellas were opened.
In both cities, space also lovingly reserved for local authors and firms. Curiously, one of those who has received the best reviews, Guillermo Soler (The ingenious and restless Oteyza en campo enemigo), was seen on the Rambla but did not call his readers. question of time
