The bad omens did not come true on “my first Sant Jordi as a signatory”. No passerby appeared with the original manuscript of their hypothetical book for me to take a look at. There were no children touching copies and, if there were, they were welcome. And no, it didn’t rain, although plumes flew.
Read more An excessive illusion
The day began picturesquely at the authors’ breakfast in La Virreina, with Jacinto Antón carrying his explorer’s hat in a supermarket bag. His world of fantasies contrasted with that of the teenagers who, further up, at Casa Cupra Raval, queued for Carla Traver to sign the romantic novel they clutched to their hearts. What essay could surpass that!
Then, at the Llibreria de la Plaça, the kids came out of class and ran to the stands in Sarrià square: How much is it? A little later they reappeared with some money. “Please dedicate it to Èric from Daniela, Èlia and Max”. Who would this Èric be for that trio of 1st year ESO students?
“He’s our teacher, he really likes Rosalía and he went to her concert last week”.
But, but… how beautiful! Let Sant Jordi come down and see it! And let Èric come out! Let the complicit teacher who inspires so much esteem appear!
Read more Kaleidoscope of emotions in the public square
The rest of the day would remain intense. At the friendly Fabre stand, on Passeig de Gràcia, young Asians spotted the cover designed by Anna Belil –Rosalía in black and white with crimson lips– and, without speaking a word of English or Spanish, asked for a photo with the author, the book and the marquees in the background. In a flash, they took away their particular summary of Barcelona’s Sant Jordi.
The most striking thing? That the author of Dorian’s biography swears to you that “your book is excellent” and that Anna Gener shares a stand at +Bernat and gives you a heartfelt hug
At Damm, the host himself, Ramon Agenjo, received this author at tea time with cookies. Perhaps as a consolation, since signing next to the real-life Dorians is not very favorable. The most striking thing? That the author of his biography, journalist Alex Serrano, swears to you that “your book is excellent”. And that Anna Gener shares a stand at +Bernat and gives you a heartfelt hug.
“Oh, Rosalía’s book! We’ve been looking for it all day!” a mother and two daughters celebrate at dusk, eager for her to dedicate it to their father…
Read more The best in the world
An oblong and human first Book Day.
