Tàrrega, in Lleida province, hosted a multitudinous Sant Jordi celebration on Thursday, 23 April 2023, drawing large crowds to its central streets and squares. Favourable weather, despite some early morning wind, combined with the event falling on a weekday, contributed to the significant public turnout.
The traditional market, located in the central Carme Street and Square, featured 43 stalls, comprising bookshops, florists, and various local entities. Among the new local literary releases, 100 cròniques de Tàrrega (100 Chronicles of Tàrrega) by Josep Castellà and Sento. La vida amb un cromosoma de més (Sento. Life with an Extra Chromosome) by Quim Vilamajó were prominent. Other local and regional authors, including Ramon Cardona with L’avi que detestava la llet (The Grandfather Who Detested Milk) and Mireia Balcells with Canela fina (Fine Cinnamon), also signed copies of their works. The Guixanet association presented a new story dedicated to the La Mercè festivities and its emblematic elements.
Mayor Rosa Maria Perelló expressed her “satisfaction” that “Tàrrega is a focal point and attraction in the Lleida province for celebrating Sant Jordi,” according to the source. She also highlighted the strong participation in this year's cultural cycle, which was dedicated posthumously to Xavier Garcia.
Community Engages in Reading and Art
The morning saw approximately 300 students from five local educational centres, Jacint Verdaguer, Àngel Guimerà, Maria-Mercè Marçal, Pia, and Vedruna, parade through Plaça Major. They participated in a collective reading event organised by the Educational Environment Plan under the slogan “Llegim al carrer!” (Let's Read in the Street!).
In an effort to promote inclusivity, the Alba Association, alongside the Mental Health Activists Group, offered easy-to-read books for the first time. This initiative supported Dincat's campaign to provide more accessible texts, characterised by short sentences, simple words, and visual support, ensuring that everyone can read and understand information.
A collaborative tassel canopy was also inaugurated in the square known as the Labyrinth. This artistic installation comprised 6,000 pieces, crafted from 20,000 metres of wool by over 200 individuals and six local entities.
The successful Sant Jordi celebration in Tàrrega underscored the town's commitment to culture, community engagement, and accessibility, reinforcing its role as a significant cultural hub in the Lleida province.
