Sant Jordi is approaching and florists and bookstores are preparing for their day. This year, the works on La Rambla have caused the relocation of stalls to Portal de l’Àngel and Plaza de la Catedral, but furthermore, this April 23rd will also be a protest Sant Jordi. The city’s florists’ guild has denounced the intrusion experienced by the sector: “Of the 25 million euros in sales, 15 go outside the sector,” lamented Joan Guillén, president of the florists’ guild.
The guild explained that of the seven million roses, only 20,000 are Catalan. The rest are mostly imported from Colombia: “More importance was given to urbanization than to land in places like Maresme,” added Guillén. They denounce a situation of intrusion, with companies seeking private profit and that “on the 23rd they no longer exist.” Guillén has asked that this Sant Jordi be “a turning point,” so that Sant Jordi is “a popular but not populist day.”
The sector is asking for a reduction in the granting of licenses in the private sector, from which florists, non-profit organizations, and also students who are part of the Sant Jordi scene in the city are disassociated. “Students who sell roses are not competition if there is a social reason behind it. We see it as normal.” What they demand is regulation, to have a “correct” number of stalls, and to “clearly eliminate all private individuals.”
Last year, the guild already promoted the “author’s rose” seal to highlight the value of florists’ products. Raquel Gil, councilor for commerce, added that “not even in Maresme’s best moments could the demand be met,” a fact she partly blamed on the lack of generational replacement and climate change. Marta Angerri, Director General of Commerce of the Generalitat de Cataluña, emphasized the “need to value the work of guilds so that young people see how fundamental they are” for society. “We must put guilds in their rightful place,” Angerri demanded.
Last year, the Guardia Urbana confiscated 2700 illegal roses thanks to a deployment of three to four patrols dedicated solely to intrusion. This year it will be repeated, and the coexistence ordinance is being modified: last year, fines could receive a 75% discount, which this year will be 50%, meaning that at the very least, fines will be 180 euros.
Books and Sant Jordi bread
The booksellers’ guilds have stated that Sant Jordi is “a great pride and a great effort,” but that it is worth it “to be able to have the book that one person wants to give to the person they love,” said Eric del Arco, a representative of the sector. Last year, 75 thousand different titles were sold, and more than two million titles were sold throughout Catalonia.
The pa de Sant Jordi has also been highlighted, the typical bread of April 23rd with sobrasada, cheese, and walnuts. “New producers who want to make it have been incorporated,” commented Jaume Bertran, president of the bakers’ guild.
In total there will be more than 6000 points of sale for books and roses, of which 425 are managed by the guilds. “Sant Jordi is a living expression of who we are and a celebration that takes place in the city’s streets,” Gil affirmed.
Mobility measures
The superintendent of the Guardia Urbana, Diego Calero, explained that from 10:00 PM on April 22nd, Diagonal with Paseo de Gracia will be closed to begin closure works. Ronda de Sant Pere will remain open, along with Gran Vía, Aragó and Valencia, and Balmes and Pau Clarís as side roads, although partial closures are not ruled out. The Aerobús stop will be moved to Plaza Universitat, and neither electric scooters nor bicycles will be allowed to circulate in the pedestrianized area. In total, more than 702 agents and auxiliaries will work to ensure the smooth running of the day.
Read more Marlaska urges the EU to ban the manufacture and use of speedboats used by drug traffickers
