<\/p>\n
Who is Sant Jordi?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n![\"Sant](\"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sant-jordi-3363667_640-200x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Once upon a time, the village of Montblanc in Tarragona was terrorized by a fierce dragon who demanded animals in exchange for not eating human beings. The villagers valued their lives and were happy to do what the dragon wanted.<\/p>\n
Until one day there were no more animals left.<\/p>\n
They decided to enter everyone\u2019s names \u2014including the names of the king and the princess\u2014 in a draw<\/strong><\/em><\/span>. Every day a name was chosen and that person was sacrificed to the dragon. Slowly, the population of the village began to decrease.<\/p>\nOne day the princess\u2019s name was drawn. Moments later, when she was standing outside the dragon\u2019s cave trembling in fear, a knight in shining armour appeared out of the blue<\/strong><\/em><\/span> and killed the dragon before it could eat the princess. Blood poured out of the dragon\u2019s chest, falling onto the ground. A huge rosebush grew out of the dragon\u2019s blood with roses the colour of fire. The knight plucked a rose and offered it to the princess he had just saved.<\/p>\nThe knight was Sant Jordi (or St. George as he\u2019s known in England), and this is how the day of Catalonia\u2019s patron saint became Catalonia\u2019s very own Valentine\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
That explains the roses. What about the books?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nCoincidentally, 23rd April is the date when William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, two of the world\u2019s greatest authors, died in 1616. In 1995 UNESCO chose this date to celebrate the first International Book Day, a day to promote reading and publishing.<\/p>\n
In Catalonia, books mingle<\/strong><\/em><\/span> with Sant Jordi\u2019s roses. Traditionally men buy roses for their wives; women buy books for their husbands. Times have changed though. Today men will buy roses for their partners as well as for their mothers, daughters, and female friends. Women will also buy roses for their loved ones, and many will receive books as well. The Diada de Sant Jordi<\/em> has become a day to celebrate love, friendship and culture.<\/p>\n![\"Barcelona](\"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/109_La_Rambla_de_Barcelona_Sant_Jordi_2016.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
How can I celebrate?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nOn this special day, Barcelona\u2019s busiest streets set up stalls where you can find all sorts of books. There are many book-signings as well. Rambla de Catalunya, Passeig de Gr\u00e0cia, Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas are a must<\/strong><\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\nSeveral museums and buildings of historical and cultural significance open their doors free of charge. Here are some you can visit:<\/p>\n
\n- <\/i>Palau G\u00fcell<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/i>Ajuntament de Barcelona<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/i>Palacio de la Generalitat<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/i>Biblioteca Nacional de Catalunya<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n <\/p>\n
You can watch sardanes, traditional Catalan dancing, in Plaza Sant Jaume in the evening.<\/p>\n
And, if comic books and strategy games are your thing<\/strong><\/em><\/span>, visit Passeig Sant Joan (near the Arc de Triomf), where there will be book stalls and workshops all day long.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Travelling with your feet up<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nThere is nothing like a book to go on an adventure. You may be lying down on your favourite sofa or sunbathing on the beach, but you\u2019re really miles away, experiencing other lives and other ways of seeing the world. A good book will help you expand your vocabulary and discover the cultural and social aspects that come with a language.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Here are some tips to improve your language skills through reading:<\/p>\n
\n- <\/i>Is there a book you love and maybe even know by heart<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/strong>?\nFind a copy in the language you\u2019re learning. Reading a story you already know will allow you to learn key words quickly and enjoy yourself at the same time. You\u2019ll also learn idiomatic expressions and new structures, and you will always understand the context.<\/span><\/li>\n <\/p>\n
- <\/i>Ever tried reading graphic novels?<\/strong>\nGraphic novels\u2014also known as comic books\u2014are a wonderful way of learning. Whether you enjoy superheroes, crime noir or science fiction, there will be a graphic novel out there just for you. From Alan Moore\u2019s Watchmen<\/em> to Marvel\u2019s Batman, from the horrifying realism of Pulitzer Prize winner Maus to the fantasy world of The Sandma<\/em>n, comics are a fun way to explore colloquial language in use.<\/span><\/li>\n <\/p>\n
- <\/i>Do you prefer novels?<\/strong>\nFind three new words to learn in each chapter you read. Focus on learning those new words. Write example sentences to help you remember them; think of situations that you or someone you know has experienced where you can apply your new vocabulary. Make sure you use your new words in speaking or writing activities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n <\/p>\n
No matter if this is your first Sant Jordi or if you\u2019ve been giving roses to your loved ones since you were a child, everybody agrees that this is a special day. Have you decided how you\u2019re going to spend it? Are you looking forward to reading any good books? Let us know in the comments below!<\/p>\n
\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nGlossary for Language Learners<\/strong><\/h1>\n <\/p>\n
Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n
Wonder (v)<\/strong>:<\/em><\/span> to ask yourself.<\/p>\nBusiness as usual (exp):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> this is used to say people\u2019s routine hasn\u2019t changed even when something unusual is happening.<\/p>\nGoodwill (exp):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> friendly, helpful and\/or cooperative feelings.<\/p>\nIt hits you (exp):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> used when you realize something suddenly.<\/p>\nRun out of (pv):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> to finish something and have no more left.<\/p>\nA draw (n):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> the random selection of names, for example in a competition.<\/p>\nOut of the blue (exp):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> suddenly and unexpectedly.<\/p>\nMingle (v):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> mix with others.<\/p>\nA must (exp):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> something that is so important you cannot miss it, for example when visiting a new city.<\/p>\nBe your thing (exp):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> when something is your \u201cthing\u201d, it means you enjoy doing that
\nto know by heart: to have something memorized very well.<\/p>\n\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nKey<\/strong><\/p>\nv = verb<\/p>\n
exp = expression<\/p>\n
n = noun<\/p>\n
pv = phrasal verb<\/p>\n
\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/p>\nOne day the princess\u2019s name was drawn. Moments later, when she was standing outside the dragon\u2019s cave trembling in fear, a knight in shining armour appeared out of the blue<\/strong><\/em><\/span> and killed the dragon before it could eat the princess. Blood poured out of the dragon\u2019s chest, falling onto the ground. A huge rosebush grew out of the dragon\u2019s blood with roses the colour of fire. The knight plucked a rose and offered it to the princess he had just saved.<\/p>\n The knight was Sant Jordi (or St. George as he\u2019s known in England), and this is how the day of Catalonia\u2019s patron saint became Catalonia\u2019s very own Valentine\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Coincidentally, 23rd April is the date when William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, two of the world\u2019s greatest authors, died in 1616. In 1995 UNESCO chose this date to celebrate the first International Book Day, a day to promote reading and publishing.<\/p>\n In Catalonia, books mingle<\/strong><\/em><\/span> with Sant Jordi\u2019s roses. Traditionally men buy roses for their wives; women buy books for their husbands. Times have changed though. Today men will buy roses for their partners as well as for their mothers, daughters, and female friends. Women will also buy roses for their loved ones, and many will receive books as well. The Diada de Sant Jordi<\/em> has become a day to celebrate love, friendship and culture.<\/p>\n On this special day, Barcelona\u2019s busiest streets set up stalls where you can find all sorts of books. There are many book-signings as well. Rambla de Catalunya, Passeig de Gr\u00e0cia, Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas are a must<\/strong><\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n Several museums and buildings of historical and cultural significance open their doors free of charge. Here are some you can visit:<\/p>\n You can watch sardanes, traditional Catalan dancing, in Plaza Sant Jaume in the evening.<\/p>\n And, if comic books and strategy games are your thing<\/strong><\/em><\/span>, visit Passeig Sant Joan (near the Arc de Triomf), where there will be book stalls and workshops all day long.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is nothing like a book to go on an adventure. You may be lying down on your favourite sofa or sunbathing on the beach, but you\u2019re really miles away, experiencing other lives and other ways of seeing the world. A good book will help you expand your vocabulary and discover the cultural and social aspects that come with a language.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here are some tips to improve your language skills through reading:<\/p>\n No matter if this is your first Sant Jordi or if you\u2019ve been giving roses to your loved ones since you were a child, everybody agrees that this is a special day. Have you decided how you\u2019re going to spend it? Are you looking forward to reading any good books? Let us know in the comments below!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n Wonder (v)<\/strong>:<\/em><\/span> to ask yourself.<\/p>\n Business as usual (exp):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> this is used to say people\u2019s routine hasn\u2019t changed even when something unusual is happening.<\/p>\n Goodwill (exp):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> friendly, helpful and\/or cooperative feelings.<\/p>\n It hits you (exp):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> used when you realize something suddenly.<\/p>\n Run out of (pv):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> to finish something and have no more left.<\/p>\n A draw (n):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> the random selection of names, for example in a competition.<\/p>\n Out of the blue (exp):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> suddenly and unexpectedly.<\/p>\n Mingle (v):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> mix with others.<\/p>\n A must (exp):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> something that is so important you cannot miss it, for example when visiting a new city.<\/p>\n Be your thing (exp):<\/strong><\/em><\/span> when something is your \u201cthing\u201d, it means you enjoy doing that Key<\/strong><\/p>\n v = verb<\/p>\n exp = expression<\/p>\n n = noun<\/p>\n pv = phrasal verb<\/p>\nThat explains the roses. What about the books?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\nHow can I celebrate?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
Travelling with your feet up<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
Glossary for Language Learners<\/strong><\/h1>\n
\nto know by heart: to have something memorized very well.<\/p>\n