I hope that no one expected to see photos of an actual bullfight. If you did, I'm sorry to have disappointed you. There are two basic reasons why you don't see "live" bullfighting scenes here. The first is that I was in southern Spain at the wrong time. Bulllfighting has seasons, though they tend to be spread out to include both Spring and Fall depending upon where the bullfighting ring is located. The other reason is that, as a rule, I am not a fan of "blood sports" be it boxing or bullfighting. I honestly don't know if I would have attended a bullfight if the opportunity had been available. I do try to experience other cultures without prejudgement and bullfighting has been an important part of the region. There would be skill and courage shown on the part of those who fight the bulls, as well as courage shown by the bulls. It would be a cross-cultural experience to be part of the spectators who line the ring. Still....I would have reservations about the ultimate result, the death of the bull for the sport of the crowd. That is my own personal opinion, and I might convince myself to attend once for historical and cultural reasons. And then again, I might not. I hate it when I am so ambivalent!
In any case, bullfighting has historically been a part of the culture of southern Spain. You can find evidence of the people's love of the event in many different representations. I have included photos from two cities in particular. Seville has great importance in the sport of bullfighting, and so there is a photo of Seville's ring from an outside view. Ronda is historically very important. From that city there are photos of the bull statue outside the arena, bullfighting implements, and a view of the bullfighting ring. The photo of the senora watching a bullfight through binoculars while wearing traditional Spanish costume was found as one of many bullfighting related photos on the side of a building in Seville's city center.
If you are curious about the history, culture, terms, and the actual events related to bullfighting, I suggest you visit this website:
http://www.andalucia.com/bullfight/home.htm
Thank you for visiting, please feel free to come again. In the meantime, may your travels be interesting and enjoyable.
Kerry
1 comments:
Wonderful photos - and I love that there were no pictures of "live bullfighting" - :-)
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