Radhika

I am just starting to plan a trip to Spain and was wondering where and when bullfights happen and if tourists can go to see them. Any information would be helpful. Thanks!

ss

Here's one website - use www.google.com to search.

The andalucia.com GUIDE TO BULLFIGHTING

elvira

U R SICK, your literate response will certainly make any sensible person see the light.

huh

Elvira,
Maybe you can stick the dead bull in your carry on bag and stick him in the overhead while you inconvenience the other passengers....

lynn

What time of year are you planning to travel? The only time I attended a bull fight in Spain was in mid-late May. I imagine there's a definite season for it. Contrary to the idiotic ravings of the nut above, I found la corrida to be an interesting look at what another culture finds entertaining. Spain is a fascinating country - have a good trip!

jim

First an aside. It's interesting that someone who appears to be so sensitive about bulls would call another human being a "faggot." Wonder what the poster thinks about gay bulls? (By the way, I'm straight.)
Anyway, a bullfight is one of the most exciting, colorful events you'll ever see, so -- sensibilities aside -- I'd recommend it. A lot of towns in Spain have fiestas throughout the year, and a bullfight often is part of the fiesta. I can't give you specific recommendations, but you might want to look into where and when the big fiestas are being held and whether bullfighting is part of them.
Ole! (And watch out for those "faggots in tight pants." Apparently, they really bother some people.)

Bruce

Well I am a faggot and I do just love tight pants (on me and other guys), but I could never kill a bull..oooh

Florence

Actually, the bull IS murdered in a very nasty manner: the barbs the picadors use are designed to draw as much blood as possible, and to sever some nerves in the neck so the bull will be blinded and slowed by the time the matador will finish him, generally in more than one strike. Then by the time they cut the ear and tail they will award the matador, they don't check whether the bull is dead or not.
It may be colorful and an old tradition, but it doesn't make it nice or respectable.

I don't suppose any of you would support teasing and torturing a cow prior to it being killed in order to feed us, so why would you accept it for a bull just because it looks quaint and folkloric ?

Many people are horrified at how geese are treated in order to produce foie gras, but would go and see a bull fight ?!?

Just think about it all ...

Poppa

Bless you Florence. You make very valid points and I agree 100 percent. Folkloric torture of another living creature? Ah, just what we all want to see. If one really wants to see a bull fight then one can go to Portugal or southern France where they have them but do not kill the bull.

But, I suspect the people that want to go see a bull fight are the same ones that watch the WWF and like boxing matches also. One big difference though is that boxers and wrestlers have a choice if they want to get in the ring. The bull is not given any choice in the matter. He is tortured by the picaderos then taunted by the matador then murdered all for the enjoyment of the crowd. Well, we used to throw Christians to the lions too for fun. Maybe we should start putting one matador in the ring with 30 or 40 bulls and let the bulls do him in. Now, that would be worth seeing!

Rob McPhail

Radhika

We saw all we needed to see at Bullring Las Ventas in Madrid. Check it out at:-

http://www.gomadrid.com/activity/madrid-bullfights.html

Tourists are welcome although in the minority.

Rob

Richard

Anyone with the price of a ticket can go, however a visit to a slaughterhouse is the same experience sans the ceremony. If you do go, get a ticket for the shade "sombra" as opposed to the sun "sol" side of the plaza.

Rex

For an alternative slant on the "sport of the bullring", let me suggest that you strongly consider going to a bullfight in Lisbon (Thursday nights only) instead of Spain.

They don't kill the bull in Portuguese bullfighting, and the whole thing is quite a show of horsemanship and pageantry, all completely bloodless. There are multiple "players" - - in some ways similar to bullfights in Spain (though I have never actually witnessed one of those). In the final "act", there is one "main" toreador (not a MATAdor - - from the verb "matar" - - to kill), and roughly six assistants. The main toreador has to "charge" the bull, confronting him face on, grabbing each of his horns in right and left hands, while the assistants rush in on either side of the neck, thereby immobilizing by brute strength alone. I suppose that occasionally, this "finale" is not successful on the principal attempt - - which must be very dangerous. I didn't see one that was NOT successful - - three bulls made up one night of this most intriguing spectacle.

Carmen

Every time the topic of bullfighting is raised, you'll find this response. And it's usually extremely vitriolic --- I think it's safe to say the 'blood sport' of Spain raises quite a reaction amongst those who are not native Spaniards (and YES, I'm sure there's probably a good portion of Spaniards who also view it as anachronistic & barbaric).

Nevertheless, to answer your question, yes, you can witness a bullfight there. It's been 10 years since I was in Madrid & went to a bullfight there. I felt like a 'rubber-necker' on the highway passing a nasty car crash. I wanted to look away, but at the same time found myself hypnotized by the spectacle. I'd never go to another one again, however I must admit it was a fascinating 'cultural' event (if you can describe it as such?).

Lesley

Let me put my cards on the table first. I am one of those who cannot understand people who torture animals for the fun of it, so I don't like bullfighting and I don't like hunting. Bull fights usually take place during the fiesta of any town, so its usually in the summer. You will see posters around the town giving times and dates. It's not a fair fight, the bull doesn't stand a chance as all the odds are stacked against it (1. It has never been in this situation before so it has had no practice, unlike the matador. 2. Often the horns are filed down just before the bull fights, so when he tries to defend himself,the matador is two or three inches further away than the bull thinks and he misses, 3.the picadors (the ones on horseback) do their utmost to destroy the muscles in the bull's neck with their lances, so that the bull cannot hold his head up straight. This makes it easier for the matador.
During the summer, bull fights are on television almost every evening. After watching it on TV, you could decide whether or not you really want to go to the corrida.

If you do go .... cheer for the bull!!!

Henry

Read the title of the post. The original poster was asking for information not your poor and uneducated opinions of the Tradition of Bull fighting. If you don't like it then don't post.

liz

Radhika, We went to a bullfight in Benedorm, along the coast 5 years ago. I was really hesitant, but gave in after reading many Ernest Hemmingway novels and had to experience it for myself. It is part of the Spainish culture and to miss it I think is missing an intrical part of Spain. I know that remark will draw alot of comments, but oh well. The spectical of it all was amazing and one really does get caught up in it. You will find posters advertising for events in most towns, almost all bigger ones have a ring. If you are a little nervous, have a drink or two before entering to calm your nerves ( I had to )!

frank

I am going to India soon.
I understand wifeburning (suttee) is part of the culture.
Where & when can I see it?
Also where can I see a good lynching in America?
Thanks!

jose

Liz
it seems that seeing a bull tortured and murdered had an impact on your spelling skills. Intrical? What the hell is than?

Kavey

Has this thread been censored?

I can only assume some posts have been deleted out leaving the rest otherwise I cant make sense of several starting with Elvira's and working down...

Kavey

wendy

Bullfights run up until about the end of October in the south. Before you go see one, you should really do a little research by watching movies or reading a book about it [Death in the Afternoon by Hemingway]. There's a lot of symbolism in a bullfight that will be lost on you if you don't have the background.

Now the bullsh*t fights, those on go here all the time.