The World Book Day is celebrated in many countries as a day when books and authors get the respect they deserve. How did it all start? In 1926, a Barcelona author realized that a medieval Sant Jordi day – when lovers gave each other roses – happened to be the same day as the death dates of Cervantes and Shakespeare. He decided to promote a day when both books and roses were given to loved ones.

Here is a photo gallery from Catalonia on the World Book Day, Sant Jordi in Catalan.

La Rambla in Barcelona during Sant Jordi. Photo by Núria.

Vilanova i la Geltrú, photo by Ajuntament de VIlanova.

Vilanova i la Geltrú, photo by Ajuntament de VIlanova.

Photo by Ajuntament d’Esplugues de Llobregat.

Photo by Ajuntament d’Esplugues de Llobregat.

Photo by Castellers d’Esplugues.