The Sant Jordi program in Tortosa, which will begin on Monday, April 20, will place a special emphasis on the commemoration of the Manuel Pérez Bonfill Year, coinciding with an event in memory of Zoraida Burgos and the traditional floral tribute to Gerard Vergés. These three figures, members of the so-called Generació Gèminis, are considered pillars of Catalan literature.
“"The culmination of the commemoration of the Manuel Pérez Bonfill Year will coincide with an event in memory of Zoraida Burgos and with the traditional floral tribute to Gerard Vergés, three illustrious figures of our literature who are also very important in the panorama of Catalan letters."
Among the highlighted activities, on Monday, April 20, the Marcel·lí Domingo Library will host the presentation of the book ¿Qué quieres ser de mayor? by Pere Estupinyà, with the collaboration of journalist Tere Valldepérez and doctor Gràcia Garcia, moderated by Ignasi Vidal. On Wednesday, April 22, awards will be presented to the best readers and volunteers of the library, followed by the Sant Jordi Eve with a performance by dancer Anna Hierro and a reading of an excerpt from Moviola by Manuel Pérez Bonfill.
Sant Jordi Day, April 23, will begin with a floral offering at the monument to Gerard Vergés, on the 12th anniversary of his death. The event will include readings of the poet's texts by Manel Ollé, Cinta Sabaté, and students from the Dertosa and Cristòfol Despuig institutes, with musical accompaniment by Pili Cugat and Carlos Lupprian. Additionally, the 'Vinils als aparadors' initiative will display literary fragments by Manuel Pérez Bonfill in 34 shops in Tortosa.
The day of April 23 will also feature book signings by authors from the Terres de l'Ebre at the Marcel·lí Domingo Library stand in Plaça de l’Àngel, and a storytelling session at the library. In the afternoon, Plaça de l’Ajuntament will be the stage for the circus show Nüshu by the Capicua company, followed by the arrival of the Flama del Correllengua Agermanat and the Sant Jordi per la Llengua demonstration.
The Sant Jordi stalls will be located on Sant Blai street, Plaça de l’Àngel, Plaça d’Agustí Querol, Carrer de la Rosa, and Plaça de la Cinta, with differentiated spaces for entities, bookstores, roses, crafts, and political parties. Approximately 60 stall applications have been confirmed.
The celebrations will extend into the weekend. On Friday, April 24, a tribute to Zoraida Burgos will be held with a poetry recital by Albert Roig, Andreu Subirats, Quim Torra, Irene Prades, Manel Ollé, Jaume Rocamora, Montse Boldú, and Toni Cardona, with musical performance by Accent Ensemble and a closing act by Montse Castellà. On Saturday, April 25, the library will host the art workshop 'Conte i pinto Sant Jordi' for children, and on Sunday, April 26, Plaça de l’Ajuntament will be the setting for the human towers event with the Castellers de Tortosa and the Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls.
