Trip to the Bullring

Here is a picture from our visit to the Plaza de Torros

As another cultural activity, our sports class took a trip to a bullring. This is the only still active bullring in Barcelona, and if the liberal younger generation can help it, this magnificent piece of Spanish history and culture will soon be turned into a museum. At the bullring we first saw the museum of bullfighting, including many dated photos of long-dead bulls and matadors, including some stuffed bulls heads. In order to earn points in a bullfight, a talented matador will sever each of the bulls ears, and if he is very good, will also sever the tail of the bull while it is still living. We also were lucky enough to meet four bulls who will be fighting for their lives on Sunday, and our guide let us know that the bull doesn't always die, if the crowd feels the bull has put up a good showing, they will let it live, much like a Roman gladiator. I do doubt that many bulls die from old age however. We saw the gradual progression in matador outfits from the eighteenth century until present day, and the torero can cost as much as eighteen thousand euros, pretty expensive for something that may get a blood stain on it or be gored by a bull. The inside of the arena has fantastic acoustics, so the matador does not need to be hooked up to a microphone. Many Spaniards are against bullfighting, and favor soccer in its place, but one can not overlook the historical and cultural significance bullfighting has had on Spanish culture. When Ernest Hemingway was living in Spain writing novels, he incessantly ranted about how beautiful the Spanish culture was and wrote extensively on bullfights. Regardless of how one may feel, bullfighting has had an enormous impact on Spanish culture and should be acknowledged for that.