The story of Sant Jordi’s Day
Sant Jordi’s Day is one of the most important festivals in Catalonia. It commemorates the Catalan legend of Sant Jordi and his heroic rescue of the princess of Montblanc from the clutches of a dragon. This day is also known as the Day of Books and Roses. Legend has it that, after the dragon had been slayed, a rose blossomed from its blood and the knight Sant Jordi presented it to the princess. This tradition is observed on this day by giving roses as a gift.
Apart from the legend, this celebration also has Christian origins since Jordi (Georgios) was a Christian serving in the Roman army in the 4th century AD. He was executed by beheading on 23 April, 303, for refusing to follow orders and not participating in the persecution of Christians, having openly confessed his Christian faith.
In the Middle Ages, he was declared a saint by the Catholic Church and has been the Patron Saint of Catalonia since 1456. Thus, Sant Jordi’s Day weaves together elements of local tradition, mythical tales and the history of Christian influence.
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The origin of the literary festival
Now you might be wondering, “What are the literary origins of this celebration?” These date back to the fair organised by the Barcelona Guild of Publishers and Booksellers in 1929 during the International Exhibition of Barcelona, whose main objective was to promote a reading culture in society.
The event was such a success that its date was later moved to 23 April to commemorate the deaths of Shakespeare and Cervantes, two internationally renowned authors, and coincide with the Diada de Sant Jordi (Saint George’s Day). Hence comes the tradition of giving books as gifts on this day.
As we have seen, it’s a day filled with symbolism, emphasising the importance of culture and literature that resonates throughout the entire year. Streets are adorned with the Senyera (Catalonia’s flag) and bustle with people searching for that perfect book to give or enjoy.
Strolling through Las Ramblas in Barcelona, you’ll find countless stalls from the city’s bookshops selling books and roses, offering the chance to meet your favourite authors and get a signed copy of their latest work with a personalised dedication. Truly, the ideal gift for a day to remember.
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Literary translation in Catalan
Literary translation is an art that involves translating literary works from one language to another while preserving the style, voice and essence of the original piece. Literary translation is a nuanced craft requiring not only linguistic and literary expertise but also a deep understanding of the cultures and histories involved.It’s about capturing the essence of the narrative, expressing events in a resonating matter and using language that is both fitting and adapted to the particular era.
The role of literary translators is to skilfully convey the richness and intricacies of the original work in the target language. This demands mastery in vocabulary, a breadth of expressions and a creative finesse in constructing sentences.
Promotion and dissemination of Catalan literature
In Catalonia, literary translation is essential for the promotion and dissemination of Catalan culturea and Catalan literature. Catalan, alongside Spanish, is the co-official language in Catalonia, and Catalan literature has a deep-rooted and rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. Renowned writers like Ausiàs March and Joanot Martorell, as well as more contemporary authors like Llorenç Villalonga, Mercè Rodoreda, Ana María Matute and Eduardo Mendoza, have shaped a literary legacy cherished and studied not only by Catalan speakers but also by readers around the world.
Literature ultimately fosters cultural exchange and understanding between peoples, contributing to the promotion of diversity and respect for the cultural differences that characterise each and every one of us. Because the beauty of cultures lies in their differences.
Nowadays, literary translation enables reaching a wide range of readers in various languages while retaining the original work’s sensitivity, dynamics and richness of the vocabulary.
Literary translation and other services offered by Overseas Translations
Overseas Translations’ native-speaking literary translators with extensive expertise in translating literary works help us deliver services of the utmost quality, as backed by ISO 9001 and ISO 17100 certifications.Literary translation projects encompass all types of literary works, including novels, short stories, plays, poems and more. We work closely with authors and publishing houses, placing special emphasis on the final review to ensure a flawless publication.
Apart from literary translation, we specialise in sworn translations to and from Catalan for languages such as German, English, Arabic, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian and Chinese.
We encourage you to celebrate the Diada de Sant Jordi wherever you are! Who wouldn’t appreciate receiving a book or a rose? And if you’re a writer with a finished masterpiece, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our professional literary translation services are here to help you turn it into an international bestseller!
