The festival organized by the Center for Bullfighting Affairs of the Community of Madrid has offered some good news and an unpleasant surprise for Onetoro, the platform that broadcast the celebration.
The first is that the square was filled, which says a lot about the generosity of the public, since the festivals have lost the tradition of yesteryear and it is of no interest to see the figures in front of pointed bulls. The ‘no tickets’ sign was put up for a good cause, and that’s great news.
The second is that a girl unknown to most, a student at the José Cubero Yiyo school, named Olga Casado, has been able to live a dream afternoon, described by herself as “the most important of my life.” He was the star of the celebration, without a doubt; Proof of this is that before the bullpen door opened, she was forced to greet the audience, who encouraged her with a standing ovation. It is also true that they chose for her a bull that looked like a calf that went to the horse twice, but did not draw blood, and that demonstrated a nobility bordering on beatitude.
Casado demonstrated, however, that he has more than acceptable conditions to make his way in the profession. At least, this was evident in the verónicas and chicuelinas with which he received his opponent, and in the grace, the panache, the naturalness, the feeling and the temper with which he drew a long task of muleta, linked all of it and with monumental chest passes, and culminated with a somewhat contrary lunge that unleashed logical enthusiasm. Her schoolmates deservedly carried her on their shoulders.
Another good news was the honorable, committed and high-flying performance of Fernando Adrián against the best presented animal of the celebration, from Domingo Hernández’s livestock, greedy, well-groomed and noble, which charged with promptness and firmness. And Talavante also stood out for being natural against another good bull from El Freixo. This one and that of Hernández, were turned around the ring without sufficient reasons, but amidst general rejoicing.
Ponce, insipid before a stupid steer, just like Castella with another cracked one. Manzanares had a tough time with a very short-spirited animal, and Roca Rey showed himself to be powerful and failed with the sword.
The unpleasant surprise came to Onetoro. When they interviewed Castella after the death of his bull, the French bullfighter said, more or less, that “Onetoro must be embarrassed to televise this celebration with the money he owes to bullfighters and businessmen”; Minutes later, the platform issued a statement in which it stated that “we respect the words of maestro Castella, although we regret that it was neither the place nor the time, when we have made a significant effort to broadcast the festival and donate a significant amount to the victims of the damage.”
“In two seasons we have invested in the world of bullfighting more than 20 million euros in rights in nearly 200 celebrations,” he continued, and “we are pending to liquidate a part of the money from the last 20 celebrations of the 2024 season, and there are a payment plan with the respective companies, which is being strictly complied with.”
Festival ‘Madrid bullfights for Valencia’ in the Plaza de Vistalegre
Several livestock farms/Six matadors and one novillera
Three bulls from Garcigrande -first, second and seventh-; third, from Jandilla; fourth, from El Freixo; fifth, by Domingo Hernández; and sixth, by Núñez del Cuvillo. Fair presentation, soft and very noble in general. The fourth and fifth – this one with the presence of a bull and of established nobility – were turned around the ring. The one fought in seventh place was very small and very noble.
Enrique Ponce: prick and thrust (turn).
Sebastian Castella: _notice_ rear and perpendicular lunge (ear).
José María Manzanares: lunge that makes guard and half lying (ovation).
Alejandro Talavante: back lunge and fall (two ears).
Fernando Adrian: lunge (two ears).
King Rock: prick and thrust _notice_ (ovation).
Olga Casado: counter lunge (two ears and tail). He came out on shoulders.
Vistalegre Square (Madrid). December 1st. Bullfighting festival in favor of those affected by the damage in Valencia and Albacete. Full of ‘no tickets’. Before the start of the celebration, the singer Francisco performed the anthem of the Valencian Community, and a minute of silence was observed in memory of the victims. Infanta Elena and the president of the Community of Madrid attended the celebration.