Ernest Hemingway’s relationship with Spain stands as one of the most profound and enduring cultural partnerships in 20th-century literature. From his first visit in the 1920s until the final years of his life, Spain served as both muse and laboratory for his artistic development, political awakening and personal philosophy. ‘Hemingway …
The festival of San Fermín, or the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, as it’s more commonly known outside Spain, officially begins at midday on 6th July every year with the ‘Chupinazo’ which takes place on the balcony of the Casa Consistorial in Pamplona. Thousands of people congregate in the …
Bous a la Mar (Bulls to the Sea) is a popular bull-running event which takes place in an open plaza by the sea, typically located in the port or beaches of the towns where it is celebrated. Participants use the proximity to water to their advantage, jumping into the sea …
Throughout the history of bullfighting there have been more than 530 professional bullfighters killed in the ring. These fatalities include a number of legendary matadors who sustained fatal injuries such as Joselito, Manolete and Paquirri. While medical care and safety measures have improved over time, the threat of being fatally …
The tradition of bullfighting has long been a controversial issue in Spain. In 2010 bullfighting in Barcelona was banned by the Catalan Parliament in 2010 although the ruling was later overturned by Spain’s Constitutional Court. This view of bullfighting stands in stark contrast to other parts of the country, including …
At a time when the traditional ‘Corrida de Toros’ faces such scrutiny over its cruelty to animals, bullfighting in Seville remains ingrained in the city’s culture and identity. The practice dates back centuries in the Andalusian capital and is centred on the 12,000 capacity Plaza de Toros de la Real …
Whilst Catalonia has banned bullfighting, Madrid has protected it as an artform which is considered to be of special cultural value. Anyone guilty of trying to stop bullfights taking place is subject to substantial fines for attempting to damage Madrid’s cultural heritage. This puts bullfighting in Madrid on a par …