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"Sant Jordi" Party 2005

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The Catalan Institute of America / Friends of Catalonia New York held a party event in Manhattan Friday, April 22nd, to celebrate Sant Jordi. The Hall at One River Place, with stunning views of the Hudson river, provided the right setting for an unforgettable night. Close to a hundred had reserved to gather around a selection of Catalan food -some donated by OleOle Foods- and a wonderful Sant Jordi cake prepared by Catalan "pastissier" long established in Manhattan, Mr. Josep Pujol. Many non-Catalans enjoyed the tradition of exchanging books and roses for the first time.

Perhaps the awaited star of the night was Catalonia Today's special edition for Sant Jordi, just off the press and rushed to Manhattan thanks to an effort supported by the "Secretaria de Cooperació Exterior" of the Catalan Government. Unfortunately, the delivery didn't make it on time, but attendees enjoyed past editions of Catalonia Today also available at the party. The President of The Catalan Institute of America, Mr. Joan Salavedra, is proudly holding one of them in the picture.

The Catalan Institute planned for this event (co-organized by Geronima Maura and Hillary Gardner) to be fully special. For the first time a book drive was hosted and attendees were encouraged to donate books to Housing Works Used Book Cafe in Soho, whose profits provide help for homeless New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS. Books *some donated by companies such as Pfizer- soon piled up on a table presided by a giant poster reading, "April 23rd, Saint George, The Day of the Book and the Rose".

Click on the images.

Sant Jordi's party

A very popular pre-party for kids and their families was co-organized by Geronima Maura, Hillary Gardner and Marta Guitart. A special guest, Peter LaBrusciano, performed to present kids with the legend of the dragon, the knight and the princess. Everybody enjoyed hot chocolate and pastries and participated in a full workshop of activities with paper roses, St. Jordi's swords and princess crowns, all decorated by the kids. Attendees were awarded a lovely St. Jordi's booklet and bookmarks made for the occasion by Geronima Maura.

Kids and family party

Indeed the aforementioned poster was present next day at the Instituto Cervantes. Antonio Munoz Molina, director of the Instituto Cervantes in New York, had specially invited The Catalan Institute for the occasion. Mr. Munoz Molina - also a renowned author * wanted to incorporate Sant Jordi into the events celebrating Cervantes and personally invited Joan Salavedra, president of The Catalan Institute to read fragments of El Quixote on an event broadcasted worldwide. Readers of El Quixote were rewarded with an edition of the book and invited to pick up a rose. The roses were placed at a stand set for The Catalan Institute nearby, which included Catalan books from the Instituto Cervantes library and pamphlets explaining the Sant Jordi tradition. Several editions of a book actually referenced in El Quixote - Tirant-lo Blanc - were displayed next to El Quixote. A crowded stand made Mr. Salavedra miss his Quixote reading. "That was too bad, but we will certainly make up for it next year when we plan to read both El Quixote and Tirant-lo Blanc on such a significant date", said Mr. Salavedra.

Sant Jordi at Instituto Cervantes
   

Photos by Geronima Maura, Dolors Vila, Caroline Conejero i Lluis Agusti

The Catalan Institute would like to thank the following Organizations for their support of the Sant Jordi's events:

Fundació Catalunya Oberta (http://www.catalunyaoberta.net/)
Catalonia Today (http://www.cataloniatoday.info/)
Pfizer (http://www.pfizer.com/)
Instituto Cervantes (http://www.cervantes.org/)
Olé Olé Foods (http://www.oleolefoods.com/)
Barcelona Gourmet (http://www.nysite.com/westside/a9/barcelon.htm)
Barna restaurant (http://www.barnarestaurant.com/)
Zipi zape restaurant (http://zipizape.vivenuevayork.com/)
Housing Works Used Book Cafe (http://www.housingworks.org/usedbookcafe/)
Secretaria de Promoció Exterior de la Generalitat de Catalunya (http://www.gencat.net/)

 
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