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Bullfighting
outline
Spain
has
always
been
famous
for
its
bull-fights
which
are
undergoing
a
new
lease
of
life
with
a
great
increase
in
interest.
In
Spain
the
bullfight
is
called
the
Fiesta
Nacional
(The
national
Sport).
There
are
few
places
in
Spain
where
a
bull-ring
can't
be
found
within
a
short
drive.
It
is
the
most
common
thing
associated
with
Spain,
and
rightly
so
for
its
origins
date
back
to
711AD
when
the
first
bullfight
(corrida)
took
place
in
honour
of
the
crowning
of
King
Alfons
VIII.
Every
week,
all
over
Spain,
many
thousands
of
Spaniards
flock
to
the
nearest
bullring,
but
not
all
Spaniards
agree
with
the
sport,
or
like
it. |
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It
is
reported
that
each
year,
within
Spain,
24,000
bulls
are
killed
in
front
of
an
audience
of
30
million
people.
The
bullfighting
season
runs
from
March
to
October.
Bullfighting
was
originally
done
on
horseback
and
was
a
sport
reserved
for
the
aristocracy. |
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This changed when Felipe V prohibited the nobles from practicing the sport as he felt it was a bad example for the public's education. From then on the commoners took on the sport, facing the bulls unarmed, dodging and taunting the bull then eventually placing small spears into the bull, the origin of the banderillas of today's bullfights. Around 1724 the sport was transformed from horseback to foot. The bullfight is literally a dance with death. The bullfighter has to carefully examine and study the movements and strengths of the bull. One wrong move and he will end up gored or seriously injured. |
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It is certain though that at the end of the show, the bull will die, yes, it is literally a show. The bullfighter has to demonstrate his skills to the audience in a dramatic and enthusiastic way. If he makes a good job of it and gets a good round of applause at the end he could be bestowed the ultimate honour by being presented with one of the bull's ears or its tail. If he has been really good he may even be carried round the arena. One variation of the traditional bullfight is bull-running where bulls are released into the streets and masses of participants do their best to avoid them and stay alive. Pamplona is the best place to see this. |
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Our visit
to the
bullfight (May
2004)
Despite the
fact that we
hold no
attraction for
bullfights,
living in
Spain we had
to witness at
least one. Our
first
experience was
several years
ago, at
Marbella
bullring where
we watched a
farce provided
purely for the
tourists and
it was
embarrassing
to say the
least.. Our
latest visit
was to a
smaller venue
in the Spanish
village of
Coín where the
bullfight was
staged for the
locals and not
tourists. The
experience was
very
different. |
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The ring
consists of
about 8
entrances.
When you buy
your ticket
you specify if
you want to
sit in the sun
or the shade.
The shade is
more
expensive.
This dictates
which entrance
you will enter
by. The
cheapest seats
are at the top
of the ring,
the front
seats are the
most
expensive.
Take a cushion
with you as we
did, or pay 1
euro to rent
one, or sit on
the concrete
seats. The
show started
at 7pm with a
parade of the
bullfighters,
then once the
president is
ready, in his
special box,
the first bull
is let in. For
about 15
minutes the
bull is
tormented by
several
Picadors, two
of which place
spears in the
bull's back to
weaken him.
Then the
Matador enters
the ring,
fights the
bull then
finishes him
off with his
sword. The
Matador is
then presented
with an ear of
the bull for
providing a
good show. |
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In all, the
Corrida that
we watched
consisted of
four bulls,
all who put up
a good fight.
It was most
amusing and
quite
rewarding when
one of the
bulls got the
better of the
Matador and
drew blood as
he tossed him
into the air.
(good on the
bull).
You will be
able to buy
drinks in the
ring as well
as programmes.
Also available
are roses to
throw to the
Matadors. Best
to take your
own drinks, a
hat and your
sunglasses !
It was a very
Spanish
affair, true
culture. It
was different
to say the
least but not
as exciting or
as gory as we
imagined. We
are however
pleased to
have sampled
it and pleased
to be able to
share it with
you; a real
Spanish
tradition.
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One of the
oldest
bullrings
in Spain
is located
in the
hilltop
village of
Ronda in
Andalucia,
southern
Spain. It
is
the
venue for
one of the
most
spectacular
corridas
of the
year. In
early
September
the ring
hosts a
week-end
of
bullfights
in
celebration
of Pedro
Romero,
the
Saturday
corrida
being
staged in
Goyesc
costume
for which
tickets
are very
hard to
obtain.
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The
bullring
in Ronda
is open to
the
public,
with a
small
admission
charge.
The
bullring
also
houses an
interesting
museum
dedicated
to the
sport.
Take a
closer
look
here. |
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Bullfighting
terms
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Muleta A small red cloth stretched over a stick (Palo)
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Capote The red cape
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Paseillo The parade of fighters at the beginning
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Corrida A Bullfighting show
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Espada The matador's sword also called the ESTOQUE
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Matador The top bullfighter
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Novilladas Beginners fights
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Rejoneadores Horse-mounted fighters
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Toril Enclosure for the bulls
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Picador Fighter to weaken the bull
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Banderillas Barbed darts on coloured shafts placed into the bull's shoulders
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Puntilla A dagger that is stabbed into the base of the bull's skull
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Puerta grande The main door to the arena
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Gradas Highest seats at the back of the ring (cheapest seats)
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Barreras Front seats
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Sol/Sombra Sun/Shade - the choice as to where you sit
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Plaza de Toros Bullring
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Useful
links to
associations
etc.....
ASOCIACIÓN
TOROS DE LIDIA
Paseo Eduardo
Dato, 7, Bajo
Dcha 28010
Madrid
Tel.: +34 - 91
447 57 81 -
Fax: +34 91
594 39 59 -
E-mail:
ediciones@torosdelidia.com
CLUB
TAURINO DE
PAMPLONA
E-mail:
club.taurino.pamplona@iturnet.es
NOTICIAS
TAURINAS
E-mail:
opinion@noticiastaurinas.com
PLAZA DE
TOROS DE LAS
VENTAS
Madrid
E-mail:
redaccion@las-ventas.com
SAN FERMIN
Pamplona
E-mail:
fermin@sanfermin.com
REAL
MAESTRANZA
Sevilla
E-mail:
realmaestranza@svq.servicom.es
PLAZA DE
TOROS DE
VALENCIA
Valencia
Tel.: +34 963
519 315 - Fax.
+34 963 943
611 - E-mail:
espinosa@plazadetorosvalencia.com |
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