Barcelona’s Unlikely Literary Darling as Anglophone Book Havens Flourish

On your travels to Barcelona, you might expect to encounter books primarily written in Spanish or Catalan, but a delightful surprise awaits.

English bookstores are slowly yet effectively taking over the Catalan capital, offering a literary oasis for lovers of the English language.

This development comes just days after the Sant Jordi celebration on April 23, where numerous stalls and bookshops sold thousands of Catalan and Spanish books.

Fortunately, for non-Spanish and non-Catalan speakers, a treasure trove of English books was also available, catering to a diverse readership.

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Among the notable English language bookstores are Backstory and Hibernian, the latter having sold second-hand books for nearly two decades.

With a strong connection to Ireland, Hibernian boasts an impressive collection of over 40,000 books, making it a bibliophile’s paradise.

These new bookstores, offering English books to the masses, have been met with a positive reception from the community, locals, expats, and tourists alike.

Establishments like Backstory provide not only an ambience for leisurely reading but also an opportunity to browse the shelves and discover your next literary adventure.

Additionally, Backstory hosts a variety of events, including book clubs, workshops, coffee talks, and open mic nights, as reported by Catalan News.

The founders of such bookstores share a common aim: to bring readers together over books and the love of reading. Their establishments serve as havens for literary enthusiasts, fostering a sense of community and connection.

Interestingly, these English bookstores attract not only native English speakers but also individuals with proficiency in the language and even Spanish people who have lived abroad and developed a penchant for reading in English.

While catering to English language readers, these bookstores also offer a selection of Catalan literature, ensuring that the rich local literary traditions are celebrated and preserved.

It seems that this is just the beginning of a literary renaissance in Barcelona, as English bookstores continue to captivate readers and embrace the city’s multicultural population. 

More and more people are gravitating towards reading in English while simultaneously staying true to the Catalan and Spanish languages, creating a harmonious blend of literary experiences.