Celebrating Books
Four hundred years ago today, two great writers passed away. Miguel de Cervantes died in Madrid, and William Shakespeare in Stratford-on-Avon. That was one of the reasons the twenty-third of April was chosen in 1920's Spain as National Book Day. The other reason was that the twenty-third is Sant Jordi's day, patron saint of Catalunya. The red rose is a symbol of the saint and is usually exchanged on this day. Now, it's a book and a rose ever since UNESCO declared the twenty-third of April World Book Day in 1995.
Actually, Cervantes and Shakespeare didn't die on the twenty-third. Cervantes died a day before and was buried in the church crypt of the convent of the Trinitarias Descalzas in Madrid on the twenty-third. Shakespeare died on the third of May by the present-day Gregorian calendar. Still, who cares about little details? The twenty-third of April it was.
On this day many cities in Spain have book fairs, and all bookstores sell books with a ten percent discount. Considering the prices of many books, and the salaries of many readers, it's really not enough, but better than nothing. In Catalunya the florists also have a good day. I think more roses are sold today than during the rest of the year, Valentine's Day included.
In Madrid on Thursday, Miguel de Cervantes showed up in the Congreso to give a speech to our lawmakers. It was a celebration of the four hundredth anniversary of his death. There was music, actings of scenes from his books, and the actor Manuel Tallafé gave a speech dressed up as Cervantes. In the speech, "Cervantes" complained that few people have ever read his magnum opus, lawmakers included. In fact, only about 21% of Spaniards have ever read the entire book. He also complained that it took him only days to finish the Quijote, while in three months the Congreso still hadn't been able to form a government.
And then "Cervantes" lambasted the congressional deputies with a fact that had crossed my mind when I had first heard this would be the four hundredth anniversary of Cervantes' death. He said he was astounded they had asked him to speak before the Congreso. As he said, "porque tal y como está la cultura, tan dejada de la mano de vuestras señorías, no me esperaba este agasajo." (Because such is the state of culture, so abandoned by Your Honors, that I was not expecting this gift.) He went on to complain that Shakespeare, whose four hundredth anniversary of his death is also celebrated the same day, is having celebrations held in his honor all year in which more than 140 countries are participating. Yet, in Spain, Cervantes has been mostly ignored this year.
The actor closed his speech urging the deputies to act as "knights errant" and find an agreement to form a government and to further culture for the good of the people, because it is their health.
On the four hundredth anniversary of the death of the greatest writer in the Castilian language that is about all Miguel de Cervantes will be mentioned in a public capacity. The actor was right, little does this country do to further its culture and remember its roots. One day a year with discounted books doesn't do much.
Actually, Cervantes and Shakespeare didn't die on the twenty-third. Cervantes died a day before and was buried in the church crypt of the convent of the Trinitarias Descalzas in Madrid on the twenty-third. Shakespeare died on the third of May by the present-day Gregorian calendar. Still, who cares about little details? The twenty-third of April it was.
On this day many cities in Spain have book fairs, and all bookstores sell books with a ten percent discount. Considering the prices of many books, and the salaries of many readers, it's really not enough, but better than nothing. In Catalunya the florists also have a good day. I think more roses are sold today than during the rest of the year, Valentine's Day included.
In Madrid on Thursday, Miguel de Cervantes showed up in the Congreso to give a speech to our lawmakers. It was a celebration of the four hundredth anniversary of his death. There was music, actings of scenes from his books, and the actor Manuel Tallafé gave a speech dressed up as Cervantes. In the speech, "Cervantes" complained that few people have ever read his magnum opus, lawmakers included. In fact, only about 21% of Spaniards have ever read the entire book. He also complained that it took him only days to finish the Quijote, while in three months the Congreso still hadn't been able to form a government.
And then "Cervantes" lambasted the congressional deputies with a fact that had crossed my mind when I had first heard this would be the four hundredth anniversary of Cervantes' death. He said he was astounded they had asked him to speak before the Congreso. As he said, "porque tal y como está la cultura, tan dejada de la mano de vuestras señorías, no me esperaba este agasajo." (Because such is the state of culture, so abandoned by Your Honors, that I was not expecting this gift.) He went on to complain that Shakespeare, whose four hundredth anniversary of his death is also celebrated the same day, is having celebrations held in his honor all year in which more than 140 countries are participating. Yet, in Spain, Cervantes has been mostly ignored this year.
The actor closed his speech urging the deputies to act as "knights errant" and find an agreement to form a government and to further culture for the good of the people, because it is their health.
On the four hundredth anniversary of the death of the greatest writer in the Castilian language that is about all Miguel de Cervantes will be mentioned in a public capacity. The actor was right, little does this country do to further its culture and remember its roots. One day a year with discounted books doesn't do much.
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