Once again the Catalan Cultural Centre of Victoria has celebrated Saint George’s Day, keeping alive this tradition from the other side of the globe. On 21 April, more than 70 people gathered at Reader’s Feast Bookstore, one of the most prestigious bookstores in Melbourne, Australia to celebrate among roses, glasses of cava and some of the latest Catalan books that have been translated into English. The event also included a virtual poetry reading performed by the poets Júlia Zabala, Jordi Valls and Hèctor Bofill, as well as a literary competition. The celebration was presided over by Victòria Gras, the Catalan Cultural Centre’s President, who explained the origin of the legend and the tradition. Our guests also enjoyed a special poetry reading from Catalonia (watch the video), and Dr. Stewart King from Monash University spoke on Catalan literature. Dr Stewart King introduced the two translations offered during the event: The celebrated novel In Diamond Square (La Plaça del Diamant) by Mercè Rodoreda and The Sound of One Hand Killing (L’hora zen) by Teresa Solana, both translated into English by Peter Bush. The attendees had the opportunity to purchase these as well as What’s up with Catalonia from the North American writer Liz Castro which were sold out that day. Finally, Casal’s committee announced the winners of the 3rd Casal Literary Competition. Jordi Poblet won the story category while Lourdes Leschen won the poetry category. The winning poems and stories can be read here:

Lourdes Leschen “Star”
Cronica d’un comiat Jordi Poblet