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Fiesta National de Espana: Spanish National Day

Published:Monday | October 13, 2014 | 2:37 PM
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Jermaine Barnaby/Photographer Spanish Ambassador Aníbal Jiménez y Abascal and his lovely wife and co-host for the evening, Filomena Ruiz.
Jermaine Barnaby/Photographer Sandwiched by the lovely Nicola Madden- Greig (left) and the elegant Avril Norton, property manager of Courtleigh Corporate is Chilean Ambassador to Jamaica Eduardo Bonilla.
Diplomatic talk between from left: Argentinean Ambassador Ariel Fernandez, Russian Ambassador Vladimir Polenov Mathu Joyini South African High Commissioner and A. J Nicholson Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
From left: Milagros Gonzalez, baby Luis Alfrefo Stefan, Alicia la Paix, Alfredo Stefan and Alejandro Martin shares frame.
Jermaine Barnaby/Photographer John Azar (left) managing director of King Alarm Systems provides a coordinating frame for his wife Gabriela in radiant red
Elegantly in black and white for the special night is Ramonia Smith, president of the National Spanish Teacher's Association of Jamaica
Jermaine Barnaby/Photographer Plaid for success is the pleasant Noelia Zamorano
Jermaine Barnaby/Photographer From left; Godelieve Van den Bergh ambassador of Belgium, Paola Amadei, Head of EU Delegation, and Sylvia Ruschel, deputy ambassador of Brazil, raise their glass to the Spanish as they celebrates their National Day.
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Fiesta National de Espana: Spanish National Day

On the cool Thursday night of October 9, guests came out in their numbers to celebrate Spain's National Day with Spanish Ambassador Anibal JimÈnez y Abascal. After being greeted by the ambassador and his family, guests walked into a tropical oasis at the ambassador's Norbrook residence.

Under exquisite chandeliers that hung against a backdrop of the national colours - radiant red and vibrant yellow, guests indulged in light conversation over hors d'oeuvres and fine wines and other preferred libations.

The Jamaica Military Band kept those in attendance entertained through music, and once they switched tunes to playing the Jamaican national anthem, all conversation ceased and all stood at attention in reverence, giving way to the formal proceedings of the evening.

Ambassador JimÈnez y Abascal then took to the stage and offered a warm welcome. He noted that Christopher Columbus had said that Jamaica was one of the most beautiful islands he had ever seen, and he had to agree.

All who were present listened very attentively as he relayed aspects of Spanish history and its uniquely significant relationship with Jamaica. He noted that Jamaica is listed as a very close friend and ally of Spain, and he looks forward to bigger and better things from the beautiful friendship between Spain and Jamaica.

A.J. Nicholson, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, declared that Jamaica was a Spanish possession, so the country is not indifferent to these monumental anniversaries. He extended heartiest congratulations to the ambassador as they commemorate this important day in Spain's history.

He then proceeded to raise his glass in a toast to the occasion with shouts of !Viva EspaÒa! Which was followed by !Viva! from the crowd, a refrain repeated three times for prosperity.

The band then closed off the formalities and the mingling frenzy resumed, along with the circulation of hors d'oeuvres, fine wines and mixed desires.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com