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The bullfight season runs from April (although some
fights now start in March) to early October. In Madrid it is fashionable
to take the family to see the first important fight on the city’s holiday,
2nd of May, when the bullfighters dress in 18th century period clothes.
The big fight of the season however takes place on the 15th of May which
heralds the San |
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Isidro Feria which now runs for three weeks with bullfights every afternoon.
Ventas bullring holds 20,000 plus and tickets are in great demand from
stalls at Ventas, Calle Victoria and from scalpers. Our friends in the
bullfighting fraternity have never let us down even when the greatest fight
of the year is about to take place in Madrid!
Seating arrangements in the bullring are very complex with the ring divided
into 10 sections and those in turn divided into even more sections. Buying
an expensive ticket does not always guarantee a good view. Many visitors are
mystified by the crowds roar and waving of white or sometimes, green
hankies. Indeed the whole process of the fight with the fighters using |
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different capes, trumpets and drums echoing
around Ventas causes even more confusion. Cries of “Fuera, fuera!” or
“Torero!” and “Oreja!” are often intimidating to the uninitiated.
Whistling and clapping resounds (but no booing!) and you wonder what
on |
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earth you have just missed.
Not so when you sign up for a bullfight and have expert play by play
with our Chairman who saw his first fight at Ventas in 1975. Your
tickets are obtained beforehand and we meet at a famous Hemingway
tavern (where else?) in the afternoon. The journey to Ventas before
the bullfights start provides time to take in a tour of the outside of
the famous bullring. |
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Inside we have a view from one balcony to see the toreadors arrive and
enter the chapel to pray. Once in our seats the Chairman points out where
the President is and what is about to unfold before you. There are six
bulls to be killed and three bullfighters and all is explained with the
play by play from the Chairman, only pausing to teach you how to drink
from his veteran wine skin!
"Without Stephen's help, I would
never have learned to truly appreciate the bullfight. It was Stephen who
revealed the mysteries of the bullfight to me. What I want to know is how
did he know what handkerchief the President of the Corrida was going to
drop before he dropped it. Stephen is a true expert on bullfighting. He
showed me death in the afternoon both in the arena and in the abattoir
where the remains where skillfully prepared for the poor." -
Brian Gordon Sinclair,
Playwright |
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Tours are only available to Wellington Society
Members
(click for info about
becoming a member) |
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Ventas Bullfight Prices
(includes first refreshment stop and
expert play by play with our Chairman) |
150 € for 2 people,
(cost of tickets not included) |
Copyright ©:
The Wellington Society of Madrid
www.wellsoc.org
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