BULL-FIGHTING

Posted by aaxan (Tokyo, Japan) on 5 August 2007 in Sport & Recreation and Portfolio.

BEFORE THE FIGHT

The second day in Barcelona, I went to see the bull-fighting. I was told by the receptionist of the hotel I stayed that Bull-fighting in Barcelona is rather a touristic show than the real one. "If you want to see the real one, you should head south..." But I went anyway. It was pretty good.

And here are something of BULL-FIGHTING I found.

Bullfighting or tauromachy (Spanish toreo, corrida de toros or tauromaquia; Portuguese tourada, corrida de touros or tauromaquia) is a tradition that involves professional performers (in Spanish toreros or matadores, in Portuguese toureiros) who execute various formal moves with the goal of appearing graceful and confident, while masterful over the bull itself. Such manoeuvers are performed at close range, and conclude (in Spanish-style bullfighting) with the death of the bull by a well-placed sword thrust as the finale. In Portugal the finale consists of a tradition called the pega, where men (Forcados) are dressed in a traditional costume of damask or velvet, with long knit hats as worn by the famous Ribatejo campinos (bull headers).

Bullfighting generates heated controversy in many areas of the world, including Spain, where the "classic" bullfighting was born. Supporters of bullfighting argue that it is a culturally important tradition, while animal rights groups condemn it as a blood sport because of the suffering of the bull and horses during the bullfight.

Canon EOS Kiss X
1/125 second
F/7.1
ISO 200
18 mm