Sant Jordi: The especial World Book Day celebration in Catalonia!

22 | 04 | 24
| Feliu Brand

Today is World Book Day, so we have will give your ticket: do you wish to begin the trip?

First part: about the different types of readers and all that reading brings us 

1.1 Have you ever wondered what kind of reader are you depending on how many books finish?

The 'average': 12


The 'voracious': 50


The 'super reader': 80

The initial question is just a curiosity, although if you write down the books you read you will be able to find out what type of reader you are. The reality, however, is much less categorical than a number, the quantity of publications that you complete is due to very different factors:

  • Reading habits and the level of income of our family: the environment in which we socialize still matters a lot.

 

  • The level of literacy offered by education: in Spain, according to various sources, the average citizen reads about six publications a year. This amount equals the world average of four books a year, although it is still far from the seventy books read by a Canadian.

 

  • Time availability: this is perhaps the most intuitive factor when it comes to explaining to oneself why one has read one quantity of books instead of another.

 

  • Gender: The proportion of female readers is 10.4% higher than that of male readers.

 

  • Age range: between fourteen and twenty-four is when we read the most.

 

  • The ability to combine different reading media: in case of using physical books, Kindle and audiobooks, you will read more. 


1.2 Reading for obligation is not the same as doing it for pleasure


Reading, regardless of its purpose, has many benefits:

  • It activates different areas of the brain and reorganizes the structures.
  • Our brain creates mental images. This makes the peripheries we read become real.
  • Rearranges the neural networks of our key organ
  • It reduces anxiety (although when you study for an exam it may seem the other way around, it is only the context that creates stress).

Doing it for studies or work sharpens:

  • Key information focus
  • The ability to synthesize
  • Critical thinking 

Be hooked stimulates: 

 

  •  Senses (perceiving the texture and smell of the pages of the book)

 

  •  Empathy

 

  •  The joy of getting attached to the plot

 

  • Understanding of metaphors and abstract language.

 

  • Imagination and fantasy

 

  • The sadness and, even, disengagement (in putting an end to something that has enraged)  

 

  • The euphoria of beginning new reading

It is no coincidence to celebrate Sant Jordi like we do in Catalonia: walking among books and roses because literature and sane love are twin passions!


2. Reading is an inclusive pleasure: Finques Feliu commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Braille alphabet.

2.1 Can people who are blind or have low vision have access to reading?


No doubt about it. There are at least three ways: 

(a) The 'Servicio Bibliográfico de la Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles' (ONCE): that allows to adapt texts in: braille, audio or raised braille lettering.

b) Audiobooks

c) Face-to-face and out-of-situ reading aloud

 This 2024 will be two centuries since the invention of the Braille alphabet. This communication system will mean an enormous leap in the education and autonomy of blind people. In the article of our blog devoted to this anniversary, we answered a question almost as essential for the quality of life of blind or low vision citizens, as this system of reading and writing:

'Who should you contact to adapt a home to the specific needs of this group?' Whether this subject involves you personally (as a family member, friend or partner of a person with a visual impairment) or if you are a professional: you will benefit from the information that, thanks to ONCE, we provide here.  

We wish you have enjoy our post.