Images of the Russian capital were included in a video celebrating a “diverse, supportive Spain”

The Spanish Foreign Ministry congratulated its citizens on the occasion of National Day with a video that unexpectedly featured iconic footage of Moscow’s Gorky Park.

On October 12, Spaniards “celebrate a diverse, supportive Spain committed to progress,” the Foreign Ministry stated across its social media accounts on Saturday.

”A country that looks to the future without forgetting what unites us. Together, we continue to grow and advance,” it added.

The message was accompanied by a short film that began with Muscovites walking past the gates of Gorky Park, with Moscow City’s skyscrapers visible against the setting sun in the background.

This #12October we celebrate a diverse, supportive Spain committed to progress.

A country that looks to the future without forgetting what unites us.

Because together, we continue to grow and advance. 🇪🇸

Happy #DíaDeLaFiestaNacional!#12O #NationalDay pic.twitter.com/h359lDNZaQ

— Spain MFA (@SpainMFA) October 12, 2024

“A country is many things. It’s a way of engaging with the world shared by a multitude of people,” read the subtitles on the video.

Social media users quickly spotted the gaffe, amused by the unusual choice of footage for a video meant to celebrate the country’s heritage.

”Spain is so diverse that the video begins with a sunset in… MOSCOW,” one user wrote in Spanish on X (formerly Twitter).

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“As we can see, even the Foreign Ministry admits that Russia and Spain have excellent relations; they are almost one and the same country,” another commenter quipped.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also remarked on the blunder, saying that “finally everyone has learned what the expression ‘Spanish shame’ means.”

The Spanish Foreign Ministry has not offered an explanation so far, and as of this writing, the video remains available on all its social media accounts, including X, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, in both English and Spanish.