The National Police makes its debut for Sant Jordi with a stop on Rambla de Catalunya

BarcelonaThe National Police has set up for the first time for Sant Jordi at the intersection of Rambla de Catalunya with Mallorca Street. Although they had been present previously at the Madrid Book Fair, this is their official debut in the Catalan capital, as the organizers explained to el ARA.

At this point of sale, various titles can be found that are part of the police force's own editorial line, with works ranging from the eight black novel awards granted by the institution to technical manuals. Members of the force explain that many of the books offered have been produced since the Spanish Police Foundation was created in December 1998. They also point out that in the last two years, since the bicentennial of the National Police, a great compilation of history and historical research has been made, and various books have been released both from the bicentennial itself and from the history of the National Police. The money raised from these sales is used to finance the continuity of this same editorial line.

The stand, which according to the National Police aims to publicize police work and promote reading and closer ties between the institution and society, has been well-attended throughout the morning, following the general trend of all the Sant Jordi stalls. From the organization, María Jesús Llorente, head of the National Police publications department, considered its first appearance a "success": "We are delighted with the people, with the city, and with everything".

In turn, the Spanish government delegate in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto, celebrated the National Police's debut with its own stall for Sant Jordi. "It is one more step in the normalization of the National Police in Catalonia, an essential body for public safety and the preservation of the freedom of Catalans. The police are also culture, and without culture there would be no freedom," he added.

The reaction of the CUP

The stall has already echoed on social media with criticisms such as those from the CUP, which blames the Barcelona City Council for "allowing a Sant Jordi stall to the Spanish police [...] while denying it to the CUP".