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It’s bullfighting time in Andalucia and you can’t escape the buzz.
Sevilla’s iconic ‘cartel’ (poster), markied the official launch on Easter Sunday.
Sevilla’s 10-day festival of Toros kicks off the festivities with three legendary Matadors: Morante Talavante and Daniel Luque.
In Valencia, the Fallas Festival last month marked the beginning of the festival season.
You have decided to attend a Bullfight. What do you need to know before entering the ring?
Avoid buying tickets from touts. Many touts are found around bullrings such as Sevilla’s La Maestranza, and Las Ventas Madrid.
You may be in a smaller ring if this is your first time watching a bullfight.
But even in Inca, beware of the ‘scalper’ – they’ve got an eye for tourists and will try to offload overpriced tickets to unsuspecting visitors.
What’s the solution? You can avoid getting ripped off by going to the official ticketing office (the “taquilla”), as it is rare for a bullfight to sell out on the night of the event.
Next, decide: ‘sol’, ‘sombra’, or ‘sol y sombra’?
The Sol tickets may be cheap, but you will have to spend over two hours in the hot sun.
Matadors tend to prefer the shaded areas, so bulls are more likely to be in those spots, leaving you with a squint and missing most of what’s going on.
Sombra tickets, on the other hand, place you in the shade, offering the best view of the action – but they come at a premium price.
There’s also the option of sol y sombra, which gives you the best from both the sun and the shade.
Ticket-sellers might ask if you have a preferred ‘tendida’, which refers to the sections or ‘segments’ of the bullring.
The true aficionados will be in tendida 7. Prepare yourself for a few loud cheers, some catcalls and the energetic energy of diehards fans.
You have an hour before the event starts to kill after you have purchased your ticket.
Tradition dictates that locals will not be in the ring yet. All of them are in nearby bars enjoying a drink before the fight.
If you show up early, don’t be surprised to find yourself surrounded by a sea of foreigners – Spaniards are in no rush.
If you can’t read the signs, ask one of the helpful stewards for help. Do not hesitate to ask a helpful steward if the signs are unclear. You’ll be directed in the right way.
Once inside, it’s time for the ultimate Spanish experience: the ‘cushion dilemma’.
For a few euros, you can rent a charity cushion to soften the hard concrete seating – highly recommended if you want to survive the two-and-a-half-hour ordeal without discomfort.
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After that, the fun really begins. A steward will lead you to your ‘fila’ (the row of seats you’re assigned). Tipping is perfectly acceptable, but not mandatory.
But hold on – what if the old guy in the beret is sitting in your spot?
It’s all part of a spectacle. In Spain, the concept of personal space is foreign. Within seconds the crowd will start arguing over who should get the seat, whether it’s you or the beret wearing man.
Don’t expect a quick resolution. You can now settle in.
While you are catching your breath and ensuring that you have your white linen handkerchief at hand, the real action is yet to begin.
Bullfighting has its own unique charm!
