In recent days it has become fashionable to criticize Sant Jordi, which, on the other hand, is criticizable like any other day of the year. The thing is that, traditionally, it is one of the most anticipated days for Catalans, who curiously and in general, are in a good mood and go out into the streets to mingle among roses and books, a combination that seems to me much more fitting than pineapple on pizza. But we cannot interfere with each person's palate, even though there are few things as disgusting to eat at the same time as pineapple and pizza. But we cannot interfere. The fact is that, with the number of things that don't work, wanting to criticize Sant Jordi's day is a desire to be seen, a fact that, on the other hand, I understand perfectly, because in some way one has to stand out among so many people who occupy space, among so many writers, among so many criticizing Sant Jordi's day is a desire to be seen, a fact that, on the other hand, I understand perfectly, because in some way one has to stand out among so many people who occupy space, among so many writers, among so many youtubers, influencers or podcasters. And listen, let everyone say what they think because everyone also opines what they feel like. Now we will not open the debate about the excess of both. And neither Sant Jordi's day, nor the world of books, much less the saints, are perfect, but I can think of a long list of things that need to be eliminated before this celebration. By the way, I remember that it is a working day, and that no one is obliged to celebrate it. Neither as a citizen, nor as a writer, nor as a florist. 

After Eduardo Mendoza, who thinks it's better not to say “Sant Jordi” (now that tourists had learned it, darn it!), the author of Cobi, Mariscal, wanted to contribute to Catalan design. On El matí de Catalunya Ràdio he said: “I really like changing things. It makes me very nervous that we still say Semana Santa. ¿Semana Santa of what? Or Navidades. These are those Catalan things that... You can't touch that, like bread with tomato. ¿What are you telling me? Come on, screw it!”

Javier Mariscal (Valencia, 1950) can't quite process the fact that the Animac Festival in Lleida has awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award, which he will collect this Sunday at the closing ceremony. "I'm not an animator," he excuses himself, "I'm nothing!" And yet, he has done everything: comics, textiles, sculptures, paintings and designed everything from venues to Olympic mascots... But he hasn't always been welcomed with open arms. "Miquel Barceló told me not to paint, that my comics were the best. My comics were the best."The Viper The same: "What beautiful furniture you make." Oscar Tusquets told me: "Don't make furniture, your paintings are very beautiful." The art world didn't forgive me for having works at 30,000 euros in a gallery and then selling them at a newsstand. And thank goodness I didn't win the Oscar with Chico & Rita or the animators would have shot me."