Filled with colorful festivities, books, origami and art, UPrep’s Sant Jordi festival returned for its second year on April 19. 

The festival is a Catalan tradition dating back to the medieval ages when the tale of St. George slaying a dragon began. Spanish teacher Elena Tello Portoles loves how the day has become a celebration of art and writing as well as history.

“It’s a day to celebrate books and literature but also the spirit of the Catalonian people,” Tello Portoles said. “A way to observe tradition in a modern way.”

The festival took place in the library and was a method of inspiring reading in the community.

“It’s such a fun way of talking books and sharing books that you’ve loved, but you want to share with others,” Tello Portoles said. “I think if we continue with this tradition, the book swap is a great way of getting people to read more and also to share their love and passion for books and literature.” 

Senior Komathi Anand attended the event and enjoyed folding origami and reading poetry from her peers.

“It’s about love,” Anand said.  “And it’s about the arts and the love of books, I read some of the poetry and really admired some of the work,” Tello Portoles stresses the need to participate in and appreciate traditions from other cultures.

“While we’re in a multicultural world, in a multicultural community, this is a tradition that is not just Catalan; it has become an international event,” Tello Portoles said. “It helps bring communities together and we are talking about belonging. We are talking about bridging communities, and I think that’s a great way to implement and make it a reality.”

Tello Portoles wants students to understand the true meaning of the holiday.

“Catalan tradition says that when St. George killed the dragon a rose came out of the blood of the dragon,” Tello Portoles said. “So from something bad, something beautiful came out. So I think that is what I would like students to take from it.”