Taking My Book to Europe to Celebrate her 2nd Birthday
- Wild Honey Blogger
- May 15
- 3 min read
When I decided that my trip to Europe would be a "book tour" celebrating the 2nd birthday of "In the Grip of Grace" my first full length poetry collection, I had no idea I'd just happen to be in Barcelona on Sant Jordi (Saint George's) Day during their famous celebration of literature and books! I'd never heard of it and I've never seen anything like it...the streets were flooded with people carrying books and roses, and book sellers were everywhere! Saint George is the patron saint of Catalonia and the celebration is based on the legend of the saint slaying a dragon to save a princess, with a rose bush growing from the dragon's blood. It replaces Saint Valentine's Day which is not a big deal in this region of Italy, and the focus of Sant Jordi Day is not solely on romantic relationships. It was fun to read my poems in various parts of the city, and our hotel left a candy rose and a bookmark in our room. We enjoyed touring the various attractions in the city and surrounding area, especially the Sagrada Familia Cathedral and other sites designed by the architect Antoni Gaudi like the Casa Mila in the photo above. Visiting the Montserrat monastery was also a special treat.
If you are reading this and find yourself in Barcelona in the near future, please look for the heart shaped stone that I left for you in the Park Guell. Go to the underground market with the large columns and look for it on the far left railing close to the wall near the bottom of the railing.
The first stop on my tour prior to arriving in Barcelona was actually London, at beautiful Kew Gardens. We spent 5 hours there and walked 8 miles! The gardens cover 300 acres and are home to over 50,000 plant species! I read my poems to a variety of creatures: a heron, a swan, a fox, a mama duck and her ducklings, and a mockingbird! It was especially nice to read in the nearby beautiful Saint Anne's Church where we were warmly greeted by a parishioner named Joan and her darling canine companion! You can see photos of all of the stops on my tour on my instagram page: Marianne Mersereau.
In Kew Gardens, I left a heart stone for you to find at the Temple of Bellona near the Victoria gate entrance. I placed the stone behind a pipe on the wall just around the corner on the stage left side.
From Barcelona, we boarded the Wind Surf cruise ship and sailed to the French and Italian Riviera, stopping at many beautiful ports. My reading in France was in the village of Collioure in a castle -the Chateau Royal! I also especially enjoyed the Rothschild house and gardens in Nice and the hilltop village of Eze.
I left a heart stone in the castle in Collioure - I placed it in a crevice in the wall near the top lookout point.
In Italy my reading was on the steps in front of the magnificent door of the cathedral in Orvieto. I left you a heart rock on the ledge below the statue on the outer right side.
Thank you to everyone who continues to read, recommend, review or gift "In the Grip of Grace." It is said that poetry books have long lives and mine is still young. I really want my book to be available in libraries. Please request it at your local library. The ISBN Number is 979-8-88838-561-6 and the publication date is 2024 (Finishing Line Press).
Enjoy the rest of spring. I hope to publish another post near the Summer Solstice in June.
Love and Peace to All,
Marianne (aka Wild Honey)
What a stunning backdrop. And happy birthday to this beautiful book.