ISLAMABAD: Spanish Ambassador Jose A. de Ory hosted a reception Friday night to celebrate his country’s National Day.

October 12 marked the National Day of Spain, commemorating a day in 1492 when Christopher Columbus, supported by the Crown of Castile, arrived in the Americas. The occasion began with renditions of national anthems of both countries performed on sitar and tabla.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Jose A. de Ory told parliamentarians, guests from the diplomatic corps, representatives from the public and private sectors that Spain’s national anthem, the Royal March, was unique as it lacked lyrics.

“It is one of the oldest anthems in the world, dating back to 1760, and is often played briefly for 30 seconds, except at formal events where it can last up to 52 seconds,” he said.

In contrast, the ambassador reflected on the beauty of Pakistan’s anthem, praising it for its emotional depth and powerful lyrics, which evoked a sense of pride in the country’s landscapes, traditions and the warmth of its people. The celebration this year highlighted the shared respect between the two nations.

The Spanish ambassador, along with his diverse team from both countries, emphasised the importance of inclusivity, drawing attention to the role of minorities in shaping Pakistan’s identity.

He shared his experiences of visiting the Kalash community, celebrating Nowruz with Parsis in Karachi, and praying at a church in Islamabad, demonstrating Spain’s admiration for Pakistan’s cultural and religious diversity.

“Spain takes pride in being an open and inclusive society with gender equality at its core,” the ambassador said, noting that Spain had more women ministers than men and three female deputy prime ministers. Celebrations of Spain’s achievements extended to sports, where the ambassador acknowledged both Spain’s triumphs and Pakistan’s, such as Arshad Nadeem’s gold medal in javelin.

“Trade relations between Spain and Pakistan are growing, with Spain serving as Pakistan’s second-largest export destination in the EU,” the ambassador said, reaffirming his country’s commitment to strengthening this partnership while supporting Pakistan’s adherence to international conventions on human rights, labour, environment and governance.

He asserted that Spain stood committed to support a just solution for the Ukrainian and Palestinian peoples. “In this last context, we have repeatedly called for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, an end to violations of international law and international humanitarian law and the establishment of two states. This year, Spain has recognised Palestine as a state and a first ever Palestinian ambassador has recently presented his credentials to HM the King,” Mr de Ory said.

Guests engaged in bright domestic and international chatter over Spanish cuisine, featuring regional favourites like tortilla de patata, paella and turron. The celebration reflected Spain’s cultural richness.

After Senator Syed Nayyer Hussain Bukhari read a message from the President of Pakistan on the deep bond and mutual respect shared with Spain, fostering a spirit of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, the chief guest, Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain appreciated progresses made by Spain, which served as inspiration for many nations in trade and renewable energy.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2024