The European calendar is over so the bullfighters leave to ‘make the Americas’ and continue their season there
After reviewing the fairs of bullrings such as La México, Acho and Cañaveralejo, we enter other important ones on the other side of the Atlantic.
The ‘Nuevo Progreso’ of Guadalajara
In the city of Guadalajara, capital of the state of Jalisco, we find the second most important bullring in Mexico, the Nuevo Progreso. Jalisco in the cradle of tequila and ‘charrería’ and has great bullfighting fans, serious and demanding.
It is a seasonal place, with an initial anniversary series in February or several steer-bullfights in September and October. Between November and December it celebrates the closing of the season, which Spanish bullfighters attend. This year, specifically, began on Sunday, November 3 with a bullfight and continues on Sundays until December 1 with four bullfights.
The New Progress was inaugurated on July 4, 1967 with a poster composed of Joselito Huerta, Raúl Contreras ‘Finito’ and Manolo Martínez, with bulls from José Julián Llaguno. Its architect was José Manuel Gómez Vázquez. Until 1979 it was known as the Monumental of Jalisco, as Leodegario Hernández baptized it, who ordered it to be built. The ring has a diameter of 46 meters and is one of the most comfortable, with full seats and capacity for about 16,500 spectators.
In addition its number of entrances and exits allows the eviction in seven minutes.
Aereal image of the Nuevo Progreso.
Bullfighting Fair of Latacunga in Ecuador
The season of America continues in the capital of the province of Cotopaxi. It is currently one of the most important fairs in the country, along with Ambato and Riobamba, and is held between November and December, in the San Isidro Labrador Bullring, from which it adopts its name, San Isidro Labrador Fair
Every year it brings together international figures, also accommodating locals, and it is common that an alternative takes place. The bullring was last renovated in 2011 so its appearance is very current. It has capacity for 4,000 spectators.
A curiosity, in 2015 they were forced to suspend the Fair due to the activity of the Cotopaxi volcano.
San Isidro Labrador Bullring of Latacunga, Cotopaxi.
The great Manizales Fair
The Manizales Fair is of vital importance and relevance for the economy and tourism of the capital of Caldas, department of Colombia. Its history begins in 1954, when a group of Colombian bullfighting fans agreed in the April Fair in Seville and they came up with “take it” to Manizales. With that inspiration, in 1955 the first edition was celebrated, with a poster composed by the horse-bullfighter Ángel Peralta and the bullfighters José María Martorell and Cesar Girón.
It is currently celebrated at the beginning of January and usually consists of four bullfights, a steer-bullfight and a great festival. It is necessary to underline the category of bullfighters that act in Manizales every year, with posters and livestock of the highest level.
The Manizales Cathedral trophy is the prize that the winner of the Manizales Fair receives, which is a gold replica of the Metropolitan Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of the capital.
Manizales Bullring
The first ‘circus of bulls’ known is from 1897 and thirteen more were built until 1951, the inauguration year of the current bullring. It was on December 23 with a bulls from Mondoñedo where Antonio Bienvenida, Manolo Gonzales and Alfredo Jiménez acted.
It has capacity for 15,600 spectators.
Aerial view of the Plaza de Toros de Manizales. Photograph by Jorge Hernán López.
We must also highlight the important work of this Fair with the most needy, allocating benefits to the Children’s Hospital of the Red Cross of Manizales.
Happy week, bullfighting lovers!
