I have only been to Sant Jordi twice in my entire life and I have already decided that it is my favorite day of the year. To begin with, because, in addition to being a writer, I am also a reader, and this day is a celebration for all book lovers.
But, above all, I love Sant Jordi because I think it breaks down prejudices: it is proof that young people read a lot. And in a very passionate way, too.
I am writing this article from my hotel room, exhausted after an intense day of signatures that I have not yet managed to fully assimilate. Actually, I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to it.
I mean seeing so many people – I insist, young people – getting up early and queuing for hours and hours, to bring me my books stained, underlined, scribbled and full of post-its, to all the drawings, the gifts and, in short, to all the love, all the affection.
As a young person who has always felt passion for the world of literature, it fills me with pride and joy to see, in days like today, so many young people with books in the streets.
I must emphasize that all of them, including myself, are breaking prejudices, as I mentioned before.
It’s easy to check. Just walk by any booth where authors such as Blue Jeans, Alice Kellen, Alina Not or Alexandra Roma are signing.
The number of people in the ranks will not leave anyone indifferent and yet not all of them are always named. That’s why I claim them on a day as magical as today.
As for me, I know that even tomorrow, when I go home, I will still be on a cloud.
One of the things I like most about writing is being able to share these writings with the people who read me, talk to them, get to know their stories.
Days like Sant Jordi allow me to do this kind of thing.
And that’s why I’m – and always will be – so grateful for all that I’m getting to live.
I hope we can do it again next year.
