On October 12, H. E. Mr. José Luis Tapia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Spain to the Republic of Bulgaria, hosted a reception at the residence of the Embassy on the occasion of the national holiday of the country.

Its date is connected with the discovery of America. On this day in 1492 the expedition of Christopher Columbus spotted land to the west and landed on the island of San Salvador, part of the Bahamas. The discovery of the New World opened up a new period in human history.

The Spanish Armed Forces Day and the Hispanic Day are also marked on 12 October. Therefore, there are military parades and many cultural events - in Spain and around the world.

Photos courtesy of the Embassy of Spain in Bulgaria.

Above: The diplomats of the embassy. In the center is the H.E. Mr. José Luis Tapia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Spain. To his left – Mr. Enrique Criado, Deputy Head of Mission; Mr. Rafael Varas, Internal Affairs Attaché; Mr. Javier Valdivielso - Director of Cervantes Institute; Ms. África Márquez, Internal Affairs Department; to his right – Ms. Eva Povedano, Economic and trade issues adviser; Mr. César Aja, Education issues adviser; Mr. Jaime Hermida, Consul.

1. H.E. Mr. José Luis Tapia with Ms. Zornitsa Rusinova, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy

2. The Head of Bacho Kiro "Primary School with Spanish language tuition, Veliko Tarnovo, presents a photo collage of the students for the occasion.

3. With Mr. Hristo Dosev, Honorary Consul of Spain in Varna and his wife

4. With H.M. King Simeon II and Dona Margarita

5. With Ms. Stanka Zheleva, daughter of Dr. Zhelyu Zhelev, President of Bulgaria (1990-1997)

6. With Mr. Ludmil Bonev, painter and his daughter

7. With Mr. Hristo Pimpirev, head of the Bulgarian base in Antarctica

8. With the ambassadors of the Netherlands, Slovakia and Ireland