Spaniards across the globe are getting ready for one of the grandest fiestas of the year - tomorrow's Spanish National Day.
The occasion marks the discovery of the Unites States by explorer Christopher Columbus as well as carrying religious overtones and - historic reasons aside - provides a great excuse to party.
In Spain, the word fiesta conjures up many images, but they always involve food, wine, dance and friendship. It encapsulates the essence of life in the southern European country in which fun and socialising get equal billing with work and success.
This month Hong Kongers are being invited to let their hair down and enjoy the party. The Spain in Hong Kong 2002 festival, held from Sunday until October 27, is designed to immerse the SAR in a culture it is only beginning to understand. 'It is a little embarrassing that often people here don't know where Spain is,' says Juan Jose Morales, chairman of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, which is co-organising the event with the Spanish Consulate and Spanish Trade Commission. 'The event is designed to be a two-way exchange between Spain and Hong Kong and China and to arouse the curiosity of Hong Kongers.'
Morales says last year's festival, the first, was hugely successful. One gauge of its impact was the flood of interest in the chamber's language courses, resulting in a new course being offered at City University to deal with the demand.
Although designed to attract business opportunities for Spanish trade and tourism - the country is the second-largest tourist destination in the world (equal to France) after the United States - the festival offers a wide cultural showcase through food, dance performances, art and photographic exhibitions.
