After the summer break, the Algarve History Association (AHA) is resuming its series of talks, starting with a controversial topic – Portuguese bullfighting. The two talks – on Monday, September 18 in the Clube de Tavira and the following day (September 19) in the Convento de São José, Lagoa – will be presented by historian and Algarve resident Peter Booker.
There are many different types of bullfighting in the world, and even in Iberia there are the traditional bull running activities as far west as the Azores and in many parts of modern Spain.
The traditional Portuguese bullfight in the bullring is so different from the Spanish variety (which is the type that many people know) that it needs some explanation.
The differences are that in Portugal the bull is not killed in the ring, the Portuguese bullfighter is on horseback, and the third part of the occasion, the “pega”, is quite different from anything in Spain, and gives the bull a chance to get his own back.
On the occasions when Peter has attended a bullfight, he had been “impressed with the majesty and training of the horses, which seem to enjoy the occasion, and with the teamwork between rider and horse in what is a dangerous activity for both; and, last but not least, with the almost suicidal ‘forcadores amadores’, whose job it is to challenge the bull”.
Lynne Booker, co-founder of AHA, says: “It is not necessary to approve of bullfighting to know how it is done, and I suspect that most of those expats who disapprove of bullfighting have little idea of what goes on at a Portuguese bullfight.”
Peter Booker gives a personal view of this age-old activity, “for the benefit of those who have never been to a bullfight”.
There is no set charge for AHA talks but donations towards the running of the association are welcome.
For more information, email lynne.algarvehistory@gmail.com
