Cercas believes that the day is a «small miracle» and Bosch says it is a magical day
Authors and readers have once again filled the streets and gathered at the Diada de Sant Jordi in Barcelona, with a great civic participation of all ages and sunny weather that has invited people to stroll through the streets of the Catalan capital.
Authors such as Javier Cercas, Alicia Kellen, Xavier Bosch, Sylvia Bosch, Irene Solà, Ildefonso Falcones, Toni Cruanyes, Fernando Aramburu, Enrique Vila-Matas, Sergi PÀMIES, Inma Rubiales, Paloma Sánchez-Garnica, and Sara Mesa, among others.
Javier Cercas, author of «The Crazy of God at the End of the World,» one of the best-selling books, stated that Sant Jordi «is wonderful, it is a small miracle.»
Another favorite to appear among the best sellers, like Xavier Bosch, has said that for him every Sant Jordi has magic and every time a reader asks him to sign a story to which he has dedicated two years, it is «truly exciting.»
Alice Kellen, one of the authors who had long lines to sign, said it is a day «that empties you a bit because it is overwhelming» and considered it important to improve reading in schools.
«Blessed madness»
Author María Dueñas emphasized that the celebration is «a blessed madness» and praised the closeness of the readers who have been waiting since the morning at the booth.
Musician Manolo García explained that for him Sant Jordi is an «explosion of culture and joy,» that surrounds people and gives them life, and is a spiritual approach of individuals.
Author Blue Jeans said on Wednesday that readers are «the most important part» of a story, so having time to talk to them and get to know them, seeing people queuing or asking for days to find him, makes him feel very fortunate and privileged.
Author Irene Solà stated that this edition of Sant Jordi is being a «special, fun, and intense» day, and author Simlvia Soler expressed her gratitude to all the people who have approached despite the heat and described the Diada as fantastic.
Breaking the fourth wall
Author Juan Gómez-Jurado expressed his excitement to sign his «19th consecutive Sant Jordi,» explaining that this time his son accompanies him and stating that it is a vacation that is difficult to explain if you don’t experience it.
On the other hand, Javier Sierra emphasized that Sant Jordi «is the day that breaks the fourth wall between writers and readers,» where they can make mutual confidences and he defines it as the most magical day of the year.
Journalist Toni Cruanyes said he is very excited to participate in this Sant Jordi with his book «The Woman of the Century» and sees it as an opportunity to connect with his readers: «They brought me anchovies and a picture.»
Author and winner of the Last Planet Award, Paloma Sánchez-Garnica, defined the Diada de Sant Jordi as a day «of magic but of chaos.»
A Holy Week «without processions»
Author and cartoonist Nazario praised the celebration of Sant Jordi and said it is good to see people buying books and roses, although he noted that there are many people: «It’s like Holy Week in Seville but without processions.»
In the same vein, author Sergi Pànmies highlighted the wonderful day of Sant Jordi, although he issued a warning: «Massifying everything I believe puts it in danger.»
Debutants
French author Pierre Lemaitre assured in his first participation in the Diada de Sant Jordi that «there is no equivalent» so far and considered it an exceptional event.
Among the newcomers, Italian author Francesca Giannone stated that the festivities «exceed expectations» and expressed the wish that every city had its own Sant Jordi.
Journalist and author Silvia Intxaurrondo said she found a «Barcelona Magic» at her first Diada de Sant Jordi in the Catalan capital, during the signing of her book «Solo en silenci.»
Not a debut, but illustrator Paula Bonet said she is «excited and with hands full of ink» after 4 years without participating in the book events of Sant Jordi.
The president of the Chamber of the Book, Patrici Tixis, stated that the forecasts for this Diada de Sant Jordi are «very good,» due to the weather and the movement that occurred this past Tuesday in the bookstores.
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