Cultura

“Books are so powerful because they enrage tyrants! Tyrants and demagogues hate all arts, because the arts are more powerful than they will ever be.” Scottish author Ali Smith is the Sant Jordi guest speaker and talks about her early love for books, how she was shaped by that love, her mother’s concern that she would become a “bookworm” (although when her mother died, she discovered a book at the back of the wardrobe, hidden among her shoes), that “when we open a book, we open ourselves” and that over the years (she is 63) she has come to the conclusion that, like everyone else, she is made of 75% water and suspects that she is at least another 75% books.”

Sant Jordi kicks off in Barcelona a day early with the traditional literary festival that La Vanguardia celebrates every year —for 13 years now— at the Alma hotel. Famous writers and personalities from the editorial, political, and business spheres attend today the preamble to the diada to warm up for tomorrow’s day, when many of the invited authors will be signing in the city’s streets.

The National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) considers that some of the decisions adopted by the Huesca judge Rocío Pilar Vargas, as a member of the Judiciary, “are contrary to the mandate set out in article 46 of the Constitution, which places the obligation to guarantee the conservation and promotion” of Spanish historical, cultural and artistic heritage on all public authorities. This was communicated yesterday in an appeal for reconsideration that has the support of the Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun, who hours earlier stated in Congress that he abides by the Supreme Court’s final ruling, but that if any appeal was filed to protect this heritage asset, “it will always have the support of the Ministry of Culture, just as all the technical reports prepared by its board have had their support”.

For years we have been told that young people were not interested in books. However, data from the 2025 barometer of reading habits and book purchases in Spain indicate that almost 8 out of 10 young people in Spain read in their free time, above other age groups. A change that coincides with an obvious phenomenon: never before have books had such a presence on social media.

La Vanguardia is a newspaper written by wordsmiths. Many journalists and collaborators are publishing books this year and will be signing them for Sant Jordi’s Day, which is a good opportunity to meet those who are responsible for telling stories and delivering news daily.

The great day of reading and civic coexistence is approaching. Sergio Vila-Sanjuán, editor-in-chief of La Vanguardia’s Cultura/s supplement, comments on the special supplement dedicated to literary novelties and recommends ten works in the categories of narrative in Spanish, Catalan and international, journalism and biography, and books about Barcelona. To facilitate the best choice for readers tomorrow, April 23rd.

Days ago, in a talk about city and tourism at the CCCB, the issue of the Sagrada Família arose and the long shadow it is beginning to cast over Barcelona. The room where the event was held is known as the Mirador, located on the highest part of the complex,