During the final summer in the ’90’s, this idealistic romantic learned a difficult lesson. It was my summer in Spain and since I was living in Seville, it seemed only fitting to attend a bullfight at one of the oldest and most important arena’s in the world, El Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza. Raging bulls, matador’s, red silk and a cheering crowd… What could be more romantic than this?
Well, this girl had NO IDEA what bull-fighting was all about. It was not merely a fun, daring attempt on the part of the matador to defy death in a ring with a bull. No, it was a long drawn out process of enraging a bull by gradually goring it to death.
I was pretty traumatized, can you tell?
But here I find myself introducing my children to Europe and Spain specifically on our trip around the world.
It was with great trepidation and that almost forgotten pit in my stomach that I tentatively introduced my boys to the classic picture book, The Story of Ferdinand.
The book is delightful. And while it certainly didn’t hide the truth, I don’t think my boys have any idea yet that the bulls all DIE a horrible bloody death. All of them, except flower-sniffing Ferdinand of course. For now, I’m quite content with them being blissfully ignorant as I was. We’ll discuss the real story later…
These boys of mine are pretty entranced and have been hosting bull fights for the last week!
I know this is a very old post, but I was going back to read all your posts and found it.
I’d like to correct the fact that ALL bullfighting ends in the death of the bull. The one you saw, does, but there’s are another variety called recorte in which people do pirouttes around the bull, after that the bull goes on to carry on with his life. This variety is becoming more and more popular, especially with younger people. (There are lots of photos if you Google ‘recorte de toros’).
In any case, you have to understand where bullfighting came from. It was used as hunting practice with more domesticated animals to prevent human deaths during hunting, and the meat was (and still is) eaten. Up until a few years ago, a dead bull was a much better option than a dead person.
Whether you agree or not with a cultural attribute, I think it is important to understand it first.
That is fascinating Cristina. I found a clip on you tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYPBlX6hvE8). The athleticism and grace of the When I saw that bullfight 14 years ago, I was assuming it was something like this. I had no idea and wasn’t prepared. It makes sense when you think of it from a historical perspective. I’ll be sure to share that with my boys when this comes up again in conversation.
And yes, I whole-heartedly agree with you. It is very important to understand something first. If I’m ever in Spain again, I would love to come see this new variety!
Oh my goodness, I didn’t know that about bull fighting either! Yikes! Ick! The boys DO make it look like fun though 🙂
Yes, “Ferdinan” what a great story. I am going to have to check that out at the library and read it to my grandsons. Thanks for stopping by waddleeahchaa.com. I thought you might enjoy last Wed. post. It is a math lesson with a twist of compassion woven into it. Your boys are old enough they could also earn the money(family chores,garage sale, etc.) to purchase the item they would put in the bags. P.S.CONGRATULATION! 🙂 joyce
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