Catalonia and England both have the same patron saint - Saint George to the English, Sant Jordi to the Catalans - and a similar legend about him, Both communities tell the story of how this saint (originally from Malta) killed a dragon to rescue a princess. In the Catalan story, which goes back to 1436, where the dragon was killed red roses appeared in its place, and a red rose has been part of the celebration ever since.

Today the festival of Sant Jordi is also a literary festival. Ever since the 1920s it has been the custom for young men to present their sweethearts with a rose on 23 April, and for the girls to give their lovers a book. This was part of a literary revival in the 20s, and is also because the saint's day, 23 April, also happens to be the birthday of the world famous Spanish author Miguel Cervantes (as well as of William Shakespeare according to tradition.)