Sant Jordi 2023: Celebrating World Book Day

On the occasion of World Book Day, the Former Residence opens the doors of its garden in a celebration of books and nature.

The Former Residence of the Ambassadors of Spain in Washington, D.C. opens its doors to the audience to show the garden installation opened in 2021, Around Pollinators. During this special opening, from 11 am to 1 pm, books will be given to visitors as part of a celebration of World Book Day and Sant Jordi Day, traditionally celebrated on April 23.

The Sant Jordi’s Day was proclaimed as the World Book Day by UNESCO in 1995 to pay a worldwide tribute to books and authors. Since then, Sant Jordi has also awakened the interest of the international community. World Book Day is now celebrated in more than 50 places all around the world such as New York, London, Tokyo, Buenos Aires, Berlin, Paris, Lisbon, and Budapest.

Sant Jordi’s celebration is inspired by the legend of Saint George. After it, Sant Jordi slew a dragon to save a princess and then plucked a red rose for the princess from a rose bush, which had sprouted on the exact spot, where the dragon’s red blood had spilled.