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5.- Where and When to See a Bullfight

Bullfights are held throughout the year except for December and January, though the best are to be seen in the spring and summer.

More of this Feature

• Part 1: What Not to Expect
• Part 2: What to Look For
• Part 3: The First Tercios
• Part 4: The Final Suerte

Related Resources

• Bullfighting

Elsewhere on the Web

• John Kalucki's Photos
• Mundo Taurino

Your first bullfight does not have to be a first-rate one. In fact, as in boxing or cricket, second- or third-rate or amateur events can often be more enjoyable, the performers substituting enthusiasm for skill and the spectators bringing a desire to enjoy themselves rather than discernment. But in the same way as no-one who had only seen amateur boxing or the farce that passes for professional boxing nowadays would be able to discuss the genius of Mohammed Ali, you cannot really say you know about bullfights if you have only seen second- or third-rate ones.

Bullrings are classified in three categories according to size, facilities and number of bullfights held. Good and bad bullfights are to be seen at all of them, but, not unsurprisingly, the best are seen in the first-class bullrings, which are in Madrid, Seville, Barcelona, Bilbao, Valencia and Saragossa (as well as Pamplona, which is a slightly different kettle of fish).

The outstanding events of the bullfighting season are the great fairs of Valencia, Seville, Bilbao, Pamplona and, above all, Madrid. The Feria de Valencia is a relatively new event, of less importance than the festival of Las Fallas, in March. Seville's major bullfighting event, second only to Madrid, is the Feria de Abril. Madrid has the most important bullfighting festival in the world, that of its patron saint, San Isidro, in May. Largely thanks to Hemingway, the festival of San Fermines in Pamplona in July is world-famous (and full of Americans). And in August, the relative cool of the Basque Country is host to the Feria de Bilbao.

Undoubtedly, the best way to see a good bullfight is to choose one with good bulls and good bullfighters. These are subjects I shall deal with at a later date.

Back to the Beginning > How to See a Bullfight> Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

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