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Resources
for Future Missionaries
Toros!
Depending on the
mission president, you will be allowed to see one bullfight
during your time in Spain. If you don't like blood,
then forget about it...
Disclaimer: The information presented is not intended to replace
any official information you receive by the church regarding your
mission or the mission field. We provide this information simply as
a public service.
Here's what you'll see:
A corrida (the bullfight) consists of 6 fifteen minute
sections known as faenas. In each faena a bull (toro)
is faced by one of three matadors (though on special occasions there
may only be one matador present). Matadors (or toreros), the ones
who actually kill the bull, are dressed in gold, while their
subordinates are in silver or black dress.
Each faena is divided into three sections. In the first section, the
bull's strength is tested by the matador and his assistants, who at
this point are using large magenta and yellow capes. The bull is
then weakened by picadors on horseback who lance the bull in the
back of the neck. In addition to weakening the bull, this forces it
to drop its head to the level of the bullfighters' capes.
During the second section, the banderilleros stab long
brightly-coloured barbed sticks, the banderillas, into the
back of the oncoming bull. The banderilleras are designed to remain
in the bull's back for the duration of the bullfight, and are meant
to aggravate it.
In the final section, the matador faces the bull alone. Now using a
small red cape, he carries out a series of elegant manoeuvres
designed to demonstrate his bravery and skill. When he is ready to
kill the bull, he exchanges the long straight sword he has been
using to position his cape for a smaller one with a curved end. To
carry out the kill, the matador holds his cape in such a way as to
mimic the angle formed by the head of a charging bull. As the bull
charges in response, it exposes the vital area between the shoulder
blades where the matador must insert his sword to reach the bull's
heart. In a good bullfight, this is successfully accomplished in the
first attempt, but usually several attempts are required to subdue
the bull.
Where and when:
Bullfights in Madrid take place in the Las Ventas bullring, often
referred to as the Mecca of bullfighting. The season in Madrid is
from March to October, with bullfights at Las Ventas every Sunday at
7:00 PM. During the Feria de San Isidro, (from about mid-May to
mid-June) and the Feria de Otoño (which begins toward the end of
September) there are bullfights everyday, often with well known
bullfighters.
Tickets can be purchased at Las Ventas itself, with tickets going on
sale two days before the bullfight. Tickets can also be bought at a
small outlet on calle Victoria (Metro: Sol). Ticket prices vary
greatly depending on the day, and where you sit, from below 1000
ptas to over 10000 ptas. Sombra (shade) is more expensive than sol
(sun). A third option, "sol y sombra" is priced in
between. The bullring isn't too big but, if you plan to see the
action without paying a lot for your seats, binoculars are probably
a good idea.
Las Ventas
Calle Alcalá 237
Metro: Ventas
Zone: near the intersection of c. Alcalá with the M-30
Ticket prices: less than 1000 ptas (8US$) to over 10000 ptas. (80
US$).
There are also bullfights held in many of the towns around Madrid at
different times of the year. The local tourist offices and
ayuntamientos should be able to inform you about these. We'll try to
get this info in here as soon as possible.
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