The bullfighting critics Antonio Lorca López (Seville, 71 years old) —collaborator for EL PAÍS— and Carlos Crivell Charnego (Seville, 75 years old) —collaborator in different media— are the winners of the Marcelino Moronta Award. The jury of the National Association of Bullring Presidents (ANPTE), which presents the award, highlights his “work in favor of the preservation, promotion and dignity of bullfighting.” Both communicators are characterized by their independence when writing their articles and chronicles “always at the service of the fan to capture in a clean and interest-free manner what happened in the arena or in the bullfighting scene,” according to the statement issued by the association. The delivery will take place soon in Malaga, within the events of the XIV National Assembly of ANPTE.
The prize is awarded to those people or institutions that contribute to the defense of Bullfighting, based on the traditional rites of the festival, the integrity of the fighting bull and the death of the bull in the bullring. In its second edition, the Marcelino Moronta Prize is awarded to both critics jointly. The proposal was presented by ANPTE member José Luis Fernández, who highlighted the trajectory of the winners in areas related to the dissemination of Bullfighting and its connection with “the values and practices that define this cultural manifestation.”
Both Lorca and Crivell have participated for years in different information spaces, where they have documented events related to the bullfight. The people of Seville have publicly defended Bullfighting in national and international forums, and have promoted education and respect for bullfighting culture among new generations of fans. Through articles published in the media, both have expressed approaches that coincide with the principles collected by ANPTE. Among them are references to issues such as the integrity of the bull, the application of regulations or the need for the public to know fundamental aspects of bullfighting.
An example cited by ANPTE is an article by Antonio Lorca about the San Miguel Fair in Seville, in which he raises a reflection on elements linked to the integrity of the festival and the training of the fan: “The excuse of an ignorant and triumphalist public does not justify that anything goes to the detriment of the integrity of bullfighting.” Likewise, a text by Carlos Crivell published in sevillatoro.espresented in the form of a letter addressed to different participants in the sector, in which he exposes considerations related to the functions of presidents, ranchers and other professionals: “I would require the presidents to always defend the interests of the fans. This translates into applying the regulations, approving the bull that corresponds to each bullring and awarding the trophies fairly.”
Last year, the award (created in tribute to the founding member of ANPTE, Marcelino Moronta) went to Jesús Hijosa Lucas, mayor of Villaseca de la Sagra, for the promotion of bullfighting culture in that municipality of Toledo.