The Spanish Embassy in Qatar hosted hundreds of officials, diplomats, business leaders, and members of the Spanish community at the Raffles Hotel Doha to celebrate the National Day of Spain. The event was held to honor Spanish heritage, the growing relations with Qatar, and shared diplomatic priorities including the situation in Palestine.
Emphasis on Human Rights and Diplomacy
During the ceremony, Álvaro Renedo Zalba, the Spanish ambassador to Qatar, emphasized in an exclusive interview that "the brutality in Gaza is intolerable" and called on Qatar and Spain to continue their cooperation in the fields of human rights, international law, and diplomatic solutions to the violence in Palestine and the region.
The Spanish ambassador stated, "Without human rights, diplomacy, and international law, peace will remain an unattainable dream" and described these principles as the core of the foreign policies of both countries.
Global Challenges and Solidarity with Qatar
His remarks came as hundreds of Qatari officials, diplomats, business leaders, and members of the Spanish community gathered at the Raffles Hotel Doha. Zalba referred in his speech to the "horrific toll of brutality in Gaza" and considered Palestine one of the major challenges for international peace and security.
He also mentioned Spain's support for the right to establish a Palestinian state, humanitarian aid, and the two-state solution, and strongly criticized the annexation of Palestinian lands, the forced displacement of Palestinians, and the violence of Israeli settlers. He warned that such actions undermine international law and weaken the prospect of achieving a just and lasting peace.
The Spanish ambassador also expressed his country's solidarity with Qatar amid regional tensions and condemned attacks on Qatar's sovereignty. He referenced Doha's diplomatic efforts to promote de-escalation and emphasized the shared commitment of both countries to dialogue, peaceful resolution of conflicts, and international cooperation.
Bilaterals and Cultural Cooperation
Regarding bilateral relations, Zalba emphasized the increasing political, economic, and cultural cooperation between Qatar and Spain, which includes high-level interactions, security collaborations, and preparations for upcoming sporting events. Spanish companies are increasingly present in Qatar, particularly in the fields of energy, technology, education, agriculture, and infrastructure.
The hotel was illuminated in red and yellow, and the Spanish Embassy hosted guests for an evening celebrating Spanish heritage and its relations with Qatar.
Among the special guests were Qatar's Minister of Public Health, Mansour bin Ibrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud, Minister of State and Head of the National Library of Qatar, Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwatari, and the Director of the Protocol Department of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahim Yusuf Abdullah Fakhro.
As part of the cultural program, two Qatari twins welcomed guests as hosts and showcased a Spanish-style Ardha performance. Following this, flamenco dancing with unique movements and hand clapping from southern Spain took the stage.
Spanish dishes were also served during the event. Chefs who were specially invited from Valencia prepared paella at a live cooking station, and guests enjoyed traditional foods from various regions of Spain.
In the art exhibition, a version of "La Menina" designed by Spanish artist Antonio Azzato and painted by Qatari artist Muna Al Bader was displayed. The marine design and wave motifs of this piece depict Spain's artistic heritage and Qatar's connection to the sea.
Ambassador Zalba referred to Spain's cultural heritage and its role in connecting communities across continents, describing his country as a bridge between Europe, America, Africa, and the Arab world. He also remembered the late Emir's father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, honoring his transformative leadership in shaping Qatar's development and international standing.
At the end of the ceremony, Zalba, along with special guests, cut the cake and concluded the evening focused on cultural exchange, diplomacy, and community.
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