Ripoll celebrated Sant Jordi's Day with a full programme of events between 22 and 23 April. A highlight of the festivities was the third edition of the Comte Guifré Floral Games, a literary competition organised by the local council. Its aim is to encourage writing in Catalan among all age groups.

This year, 85 works were submitted. The winners across various age and literary categories for poetry and prose were announced at an event on Thursday afternoon. The awards included financial prizes for those over 18, and vouchers for local Ripoll shops for younger winners.

Comte Guifré Floral Games Winners

The judging panel, made up of six cultural figures including Jordi Caballeria, Carlota Figuerola, Montserrat Guix, Enric Martín, Joan Murillo, and Montserrat Picola, selected the winning entries. Submissions, which had a free theme and were written in Catalan, were accepted from 20 January to 26 February.

Poetry Winners

  • 10-12 years:
    • 1st: 'La cultura' (Culture) by Roc Colomer Coma
    • 2nd: 'En perill' (In Danger) by Airam Vigo Garcias
    • 3rd: 'Records d'infància' (Childhood Memories) by Laia Quijadas Martínez
    • Special Mention: 'La lluna' (The Moon) by Mariona Martínez Pérez
  • 13-15 years:
    • 1st: 'Eclipsi' (Eclipse) by Núria Vilalta Gonzàlez
    • 2nd: 'Últim adéu' (Last Goodbye) by Ferran Tristan Canal
    • 3rd: Vacant
  • 16-17 years: Vacant
  • Over 18 years:
    • 1st: 'Lliçó d'anatomia' (Anatomy Lesson) by Joan Carles González Pujalte
    • 2nd: 'La corda no era per a morir' (The Rope Was Not for Dying) by Jeroni Vinyet Panadés
    • 3rd: 'Virtual' by Francesc Pineda Sicília

Prose Winners

  • 10-12 years:
    • 1st: 'L'Últim adéu' (The Last Goodbye) by Queralt Puigcasas Ferrer
    • 2nd: 'Simplement…Adolescència' (Simply…Adolescence) by Laia Quiñones Ferrer
    • 3rd: 'L'època dels romans i el fragment estel·lar' (The Roman Era and the Stellar Fragment) by Marc Malagón Carles
  • 13-15 years:
    • 1st: 'Somnis de silenci' (Dreams of Silence) by Maria Quijadas Martínez
    • 2nd: 'La porta negra' (The Black Door) by Albert Pujade Viladrich
    • 3rd: 'Benvinguda a Irlanda' (Welcome to Ireland) by Júlia Rota Carceller
  • 16-17 years:
    • 1st: 'Entre les arrugues d'un paper' (Between the Wrinkles of a Paper) by Laura Bassagaña Carbonell
    • 2nd: 'No és el mateix' (It's Not the Same) by Clàudia Mercado Sànchez
  • Over 18 years:
    • 1st: 'El pèndol' (The Pendulum) by Clotilde Martínez Colomer
    • 2nd: 'Un tros de cel' (A Piece of Sky) by Miquel Pascal Pujadas
    • 3rd: 'Tornar a la vall' (Return to the Valley) by Clara Ballarà Sampera

Award Ceremony and Other Activities

The award ceremony was hosted by Agustí Mas and featured musical performances by Iolanda Pellicer. The theatre group 'Sol Solet' read excerpts from some of the winning works. Ripoll's Mayor, Sílvia Orriols, and Deputy Mayor, Anna Flores, presented the diplomas and prizes.

Beyond the Floral Games, Sant Jordi's Day saw many other activities. Stalls selling books and roses from local businesses and organisations filled the streets and squares throughout the day. The weather held, with no rain, allowing people to enjoy the festivities. In the morning, the council organised two children's shows for local schoolchildren: 'Alma i la mar de contes' (Alma and the Sea of Stories) at Plaça Sant Eudald, and Jaume Ibars & Trasto band at Plaça de l'Ajuntament. In the afternoon, the traditional sardana dance took place, featuring the cobla Sol de Banyuls.

Sant Jordi's Eve Celebrations

The celebrations began on Wednesday evening with the 14th Sant Jordi's Eve at the Lambert Mata Library. Gerard Garcés led a storytelling session for younger children, titled 'Un cavaller, una princesa i un drac…Sant Jordi?' (A Knight, a Princess and a Dragon…Sant Jordi?). Many families attended. This was followed by a 'Tastet d'autors locals' (Taste of Local Authors) event, organised by Òmnium Ripollès, where local writers shared their literary works from the past year. Ramon Alabau and Núria Camps read selected fragments from these works. A posthumous tribute was also paid to Pau Elias.