We attended the bullfights while in Madrid with a mixture of interest and trepidation. It has become a controversial sport, even here in Spain (it's been banned in Barcelona), but it is an undeniable part of Spain's culture and national identity. Part of the reason we travel is to experience other cultures. So we bought tickets.
I must say, I don't really have words for all this. The pictures will have to speak for themselves. And they are graphic, so if you are opposed, just don't go any further.
To start with, this guy marks off the bullring
Then the Matadors come strutting in, amidst lots of fanfare and trumpets blaring. There's some ceremony to all this.
They are followed by the horses and "Picadores". These are the guys with the lances. The horses are wearing those thick pads to protect them from being gored by the bull while the Picadores do their job. Sometimes it works.
Now it's time to get down to business. At the beginning, when the bull is fresh and fiesty, there are several "Peones", or assistants, to help wear the bull down a little before the Matador takes him on one-to-one.
They have these handy little hide-outs in case he gets too close.
This charge does not end well for either the bull or the horse, but I'll spare you. You might notice that the horse is blindfolded. Mr. C tells me he read that they also clip their vocal cords, so, if indeed the horse is injured, the spectators are spared hearing their cries.
Next it's time for the Banderilleros ~ their job is to "provoke" the wounded bull by sticking pairs of banderillas, barbed darts, in it's already weakened back.
Now it's finally time for the Matador
And then the Matador finishes the "fight".
And they do this for 6 different rounds, 6 different bulls.
We left early.
We left early.
So sad...pictures are good though
ReplyDeleteJR, it was very difficult to watch. I was hoping that the artistry and the pageantry would carry it for me, but I was mistaken about that. Still, this is why you go, so you know for yourself.
DeleteOh my! I had no idea it was so one sided! Have never been to one so thanks for the great pictures and the high level overview. Experiencing the different cultural events can be traumatic some times!
DeleteYes, KS it was an education. That's why you go. No one can tell me what my opinion is, now that I have experienced it firsthand. But traumatic ~ yes!
DeleteThank you! The pictures are beautiful and I felt like I was in the stands with you! Thank you for "taking me with you" to my first Bullfight of Madrid. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteRZ, nice to hear that you enjoyed the trip. Your tickets were cheaper than ours!
DeleteI absolutely agree, Sherrie - attending a bullfight helps immerse you into Spain's historic sporting/bravado/battle culture, although I have too much empathy for the animals to attend one myself. But those images you captured are great! The color/motion/perspectives really bring it to the reader, and whether its olive trays, espresso, or charming cityscapes - they're really fun to view and imagine being there. Guess I have passport envy too!
ReplyDeletePS: I'm jealous of your camera, even though I know it's the photographer behind it envisioning and creating the image that makes it successful. Nice work! Nice travel blog! Keep 'em coming ....
Thanks, I appreciate that. Especially coming from such an accomplished photographer as yourself. This is the maiden international voyage for my new Sony camera, and I must say, it is a perfect fit for me. We are on the move, in so many different situations and circumstances, and it is nice that this little guy tags along so nicely. It is not-so-big to be a burden, but is oh-so-good at low-light and difficult shots. I do not pretend to be a professional photographer I am simply a traveler who wants a good record of my latest adventures, and perhaps a few images that are fit to share the experience ~ and this guy is the real deal for all of that. Big on lens quality and super user-friendly, and small enough to tuck into my purse to go to dinner. Perfect! (PS: Thanks for all the professional advice on this recent purchase! You make my job so much easier!)
DeleteCurious - did every Matador wear pink socks? Appears so in the images you posted. I wonder why.
ReplyDeleteGood question! I'm going to check my photo's but.....I think the answer is yes. If you notice, in the initial encounters with the bull, all the "Peones" (is this where we get our term Peon's, I wonder?) have pink capes I have not researched this yet, but.....I will do that. I find it interesting that we associate the color pink with something feminine or effeminate. But ? It does not seem to be so in Spain. I will check back in with you on this......
DeleteOK, JS, here's your answer: Yes! Pink socks are "in" for bullfighting. For a couple of different reasons ~ here's what I learned:
DeleteAll over Spain, yellow is held to be a highly unlucky color. Bullfighters recoil from wearing a yellow costume, choosing other colors for their suits. However, they use a yellow cape. The reverse side of the yellow cape being pink, this associates pink with good luck. Pink socks too, are a way of bringing good luck to a superstitious bullfighter.
Secondly, "The dazzling colors of the tightly tailored, sequin-covered bullfighter's costume have been worn for centuries. The exact composition of the outfit is governed by rules and traditions handed down from the 17th century, when bullfighting was the preserve of the old Spanish aristocrats. Consisting of an embroidered silk jacket, tight pants, pink socks and black slippers, the rich fabrics reflect the social status accorded to the bullfighter. Historically, the brightest colors, such as pink, were the hardest to achieve and hence the most expensive--a visible reminder of class and nobility."
So, lot's of tradition and fanfare here. And pink is definitely "in".
I read it all, and the comments. You did a good job of describing, and the photos are also very telling. Certainly made me cringe a few times. Not for me either. Sad. The fact that is is now banned in Barcelona tells me maybe the country is moving away from this? We could only hope.
ReplyDeleteIt is just so controversial, Judy. What we see as being cruel, they see as being a part of their heritage and their culture. My Eyewitness Travel book calls bullfighting a "sacrificial ritual". That sounds about right, I guess. I will admit that it was very traumatic for me. Because it's NOT part of our culture, we are not de-sensitized to it all. I'm not sorry that I went, but I know I will never attend another bullfighting event.
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