A Very English Day: St. George and Shakespeare

Today, Monday 23rd April, is a special day for England in more way than one. Not only is it the day of the country's patron saint- St. George, but it also marks William Shakespeare's birthday. With national excitement already growing for the summer's Olympics, there are a number of events happening to commemorate Shakespeare and St. George as part of the Cultural Olympiad.

St George's Day

St. George is the patron saint of a number of different countries, including Russia, Bulgaria, Egypt, India, Greece and Portugal amongst many others. Each year on the 23rd April, they all celebrate St. George's Day. According to tradition, St. George was a Roman soldier in the third century AD. According to legend he killed a dragon to rescue a princess, and in doing so he converted the grateful town's inhabitants to Christians.

There are records of celebrations in England from over a thousand years ago, but today, the day is like any other for most people. However, one of the more interesting ways in which St. George's Day was celebrated this year, was seen in Trafalgar Square. On Saturday the famous square was transformed in to a central London garden, complete with grass, flowers, trees and old-fashioned bandstand. As you can see below, it was certainly an unusual site.

World Shakespeare Festival

It just so happens that one of the most celebrated figures in England's history- William Shakespeare, was also born and died on the 23rd April. Therefore, each year it is also traditional to celebrate his life on St. George's Day.

However, this year, the day is taking on a special significance, as it kicks off the World Shakespeare Festival. As part of the London 2012 Olympics, the Cultural Olympiad is celebrating all aspects of British culture over the next three months. With everything from art exhibitions to film festivals, and huge outdoor sculptures to massive gigs, there are hundreds of events going on in London and the rest of the UK.

One of the most important parts of this cultural celebration is Shakespeare's plays. A number of different events are being put on as part of the Festival, which officially began today. Events include:

• Globe to Globe: All 37 of Shakespeare's plays are being performed in 37 different languages. Starting at the Globe Theatre in London, the plays will be performed in everything from the relatively ordinary languages such as Belarusian and Lithuanian, to the more experimental ideas, such as sign language and hip hop dance.

• BBC Shakespeare Season: One easy way for you to get involved is to watch the programmes that are part of the BBC's Shakespeare Season. They are showing four brand new adaptations of the playwright's histories, including Richard II, Henry IV Part I & Part II, and Henry V.

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