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Bullfighting
Spanish Fiesta Brava

Bullfighting is often termed the National Festival of Spain. Particularly in recent years it is shrouded in controversy. Some claim it is part of Spanish traditional culture, with history from the hunt combined with artistic expression similar to the dance, and should be preserved. Others claim it is barbaric and should be banned. Both views are obviously valid, and the passion of the different views is often a refection of the cultural background of the person expressing his or her thoughts. Both these views are also reflected in recent events. The popularity of Bullfighting is as popular (and in fact some say increasing) as ever before, yet the city of Barcelona recently banned Bullfights and declared itself a bullfight free city.

Some interesting information on Bullfighting.

The actual bullfight is known as the corrida. The Corrida consists of six bulls to be killed by three matadors. Each bullfight consists of three parts (suertes) and lasts about fifteen minutes. The first suerte consists of the matador using his large cape to greet the bull with a series of passes. The closer he gets to the bull’s horns with each pass, the louder the crowd applauses. Contrary to popular belief, the bull instinctively goes for the cloth because it is a large moving target – not because of its color, as bulls are colorblind.

Picadors and banderilleros, who are essentially assistants to the matador, conduct the second suerte. Their role is to exhaust and wear down the bull, as they lance and pierce the bull with lances and barded sticks (banderillas).

With the sound of a trumpet, the matador begins the final suerte. After several passes with his muleta draped over his estoque, the matador takes careful aim and thrusts the estoque straight over the bull’s horns, killing the bull

The photo’s selected below are perhaps an expression of support for the Bull – which occasionally gets the upper hand

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