Today I wanted to share a personal reflection on what the celebration of Sant Jordi means to me. Those who know me well know that I always like to question what surrounds me and not just follow the crowd. However, until recently, I realized that many of the festivals we’re supposed to enjoy didn’t make me feel as fulfilled as I expected. Maybe due to a lack of curiosity, or because I had too many things on my mind, I began to question what truly filled me and what didn’t.
It was when I started to slow down and listen to myself more that I understood something fundamental: many of these traditions, like Sant Jordi, had lost their true meaning for me. And, as always, if I don’t understand something, I’m unlikely to enjoy it properly.
In my case, the reflection on flowers led me to rethink much more than just the celebration of a day. It all started with food: knowing where it came from, how it was produced, and who was behind each product radically changed the way we consume. As a natural consequence, we began thinking about flowers differently. And now, as a florist, I know that a flower is not just a beautiful detail; it can be an expression of respect for nature, a commitment to local products, and a tribute to the work of people who, with passion, grow them.
I know that many times the easiest way to live is not to question anything, especially when we have so many daily worries. But the difference between living consciously and just going with the flow has an immense impact on the lives of many people we never see, who are behind projects we may or may not choose to support. In my case, I’m talking about flowers.
In spring, local flowers are not always ready for April 23rd. There used to be rose growers here, but they clearly cannot compete with the vast productions in Ecuador or Colombia. Price, labor conditions, chemical regulations, and labor force are just some of the differences that affect this mass production. And this is where the flower has lost its essence.
The vast greenhouses on the other side of the world allow total control over factors like light, temperature, and chemicals. So, we can buy flowers that travel long distances, that undergo several chemical processes to ensure they arrive in good condition. But we must ask ourselves: is it really worth it? All this to make a flower look perfect, when in fact it has lost its natural qualities.
The truth is that enjoying a natural, fresh flower, free from chemical treatments, that retains its aroma, its movement, and its unique beauty, is a real gift. A flower that hasn’t needed hormones to extend its life, hasn’t crossed continents, but goes directly to local florists, with its full story visible. This direct connection with nature is a blessing that, unfortunately, we don’t always appreciate enough.
When we enjoy a natural flower, we are connecting with nature on a deeper level. The flower, with its imperfections and unique traits, reminds us that we too are part of this natural process. We don’t need to follow the crowd or be like everyone else; our differences make us unique and that’s what makes us strong. Accepting and enjoying our own “stages” or “seasons” is a way of seeing life that, like flowers, is fleeting but full of beauty.
As a florist, I always say that we not only learn how to grow flowers but also how to grow as people. And I truly agree with this.
If this April 23rd you’d like to come say hi, you’ll find me at the Sant Jordi Fair in Can Muntanyola, from 5 to 7 pm, surrounded by authentic flowers. Maybe the “perfect” rose won’t be there, but there will be authenticity, history, and love for the land.
See you there!
