April 20, 2022

Domingo de ramos en Madrid




In the bullfight things rarely go as planned. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.

Take for example a couple of weeks ago in Madrid. Emilio de Justo, last year's big story in Las Ventas, was going to take on six bulls from various ranches by himself.

The plaza de toros was sold out. Sadly, Emilio was injured by the first bull. Actually he is lucky to still be standing as the bull dropped him right on his head at a weird angle where he very easily could have broken his neck and never walked again.

Thus the rest of the afternoon fell on the shoulders of the substitute bullfighter Alvaro de la Calle. As I understand it a bullfighter that makes his living as a substitute, a bullfighter that never caught the attention of los aficionados but can still hold his own and with hopes of still making it big some day.

The reports I was able to see made it sound like he fought with dignity and earned the respect of the crowd even though he was not awarded any ears from any of the bulls. So in other words he made the best of a bad situation.

At the end of the night he walked quietly back to his hotel with his wife and daughter, to little fan fare but able to hold his head high.

Many are saying he deserves to be a cartel this year in Madrid or another top level plaza. Many are hoping.

April 15, 2022