The Bulfightning and the Paso Doble in Spain
SPAIN is one of the two countries that form the Iberian Peninsula. It has an interesting history, tradition, and culture. Having in its structure all of the different types of landforms, every year Spain is visited by millions of tourists. It’s capital, Madrid, is one of the most visited capitals in Europe.
THE BULFIGHTING
If you choose to visit Spain , it would be a pity not to learn more about the traditions and about the representative features of this country. The bullfights have been considered to be one of the most representative characteristics of Spain for decades. Although many people in the world do not agree with this ”art,” bullfighting means triumph; it is all about the victory of human beings over a fearful animal, which is the bull.
This art that is so well known in Spain, has its origins in the XVIth and XVIIIth centuries, and in those moments that were very supported by the Austria House. The places where these fights were developed were ”La Maestranza ” or ”Plaza De Torros.”
Bullfighting enthusiasts are called ”aficionados,” and for them, it is not a sport or a simple activity; but an art. It is an art both in terms of ritual and ceremony, with ancient roots evoking echoes of Roman gladiatoral combat.
After many clashes and fights, when the bull is exhausted, ”el matador” goes alone on stage, in order to show his talent in controlling the red cape, leading the bull with a lot of attitude. In the end, in a dramatic move of huge intensity, ”el matador” pokes the sword between the bull’s shoulders, giving it the finishing coup.
The season of bullfighting has its beginning in the Ressurection Sunday and finishes on November 8th, which is in Spain the celebration of San Miguel. ”La Feria De Abril” is a famous fest, when each year the best and the most well known fighters show their talents.
Furthermore, each part of the country has a season dedicated to bullfighting; it is a popularized event and, if you really want to participate in one of those fights, you will find posters with information that advertise it.
STILL A SYMBOL
Widely criticized by sentimentalist foreigners and even by many Spanish people, the bullfighting is however, an authentic expression of the Spanish spirit: pomp and ceremony, ”sol y sombra” (sun and shadow), a deep sense of drama, tragedy and fatalism, all orchestrated through the fearless ”furia espanola”- legendary pride that made enemies of Spain tremble.