BRITISH historian Mary Beard visited Barcelona during Sant Jordi for the first time yesterday (Monday), and said the massive patron saint fair was 'just fantastic'.
The Princess of Asturias Humanities Award winner was among the many authors signing copies of their books on stalls during the huge festival.
“It was extraordinary, fantastic, and much more exciting than I thought it would be,” Ms Beard admitted.
Sant Jordi – Catalunya's answer to Saint George – is celebrated with book and flower stands lining the streets in accordance with the legend that claims these were given as gifts to lovers or crushes on April 23 in the region.
Even though England marked the same saint's day yesterday, Mary said she could not imagine it ever being possible to celebrate it in the same way as in Catalunya.
She said 'so many people in the street at once' would be considered unfeasible in England, and joked that 'even if the British weather was kind' to them, it was practically impossible.
Mary signed copies of her books on the history of Ancient Rome and her latest work, Women and Power, and thanked all those who attended her stall for giving her the chance to join in the fair for the first time.
