Sant Jordi will be back next weekend. After two years of limiting the celebration of the Day of Books and Roses to the social media because of the pandemic, this coming April, the books and roses will finally be back to illa Carlemany, Andorra’s centre, with special activities for the youngest participants.

Books on paper continue to have their share of enthusiasts, much despite the screens, which are also a viable access to literature. According to recent studies in our neighbouring countries, the habit of reading, whether at school or at home, begins when children are very young. In fact, child and adolescent literature is currently enjoying a golden age. Andorra is promoting the “Born to Read” programme, which targets children of ages 0-3 and aims to generate family habits like visiting the library, reading out loud and making books a tool of communication between children and their parents. Launched by the National Library, this initiative involves everyone from midwives to paediatricians and provides children and their families with spaces, activities, readings and services.

Here at illa Carlemany, we have one of the most active bookshops in the country: Llibre Idees. Located on floor 2, this shop often receives visits from writers and is the ideal place to find the latest in literature from Andorra. This Sant Jordi, yet again, Llibre Idees will be featuring the new works and recommendations that have recently been discussed in newspapers and on radio and television programmes.

And even though the spirit of Sant Jordi is to give the gift of a book and a rose on 23 April, it’s important to read all year long. So, we can also give these gifts any time!