SESSAO

The Community of Madrid has closed the Autumn Fair at the Las Ventas Bullring with the best number of subscribers in the last 15 years, 18.229, exceeding the figure of the last edition by more than 1.000. In total, 116.194 people attended, 6.240 more than in 2023, with a daily average of 19.366, with an increase of more than 5%. This marks the end of the 2024 season at the Las Ventas bullring, where almost a million fans (936.532) have passed through.

The autumn cycle began on September 28 with Enrique Ponce's farewell to the Madrid public. The Valencian bullfighter signed his fifth exit on shoulders through the Puerta Grande of the Monumental, after performing a great task against the bulls of Garcigrande and Juan Pedro Domecq.

Since then, seven bullfights and bullfights have been held, including the traditional one on the Day of the Hispanic Heritage, on October 12, which closed the Fair and brought together 22.248 fans. The mano a mano between Miguel Ángel Perera and Emilio de Justo with six bulls from Victorino Martín, cutting off one ear each, brought an end to the bullfighting season in the Madrid bullring.

This year, some of the most attractive and relevant figures of the current bullfighting scene have also been present at the Autumn Fair, such as Roca Rey, who was seriously injured on October 6. Other bullfighters of the stature of José María Manzanares, Paco Ureña, Tomás Rufo, Borja Jiménez, Fernando Adrián, Román, David Galván, Víctor Hernández and Samuel Navalón, among others, also took part in the ring. In the livestock section, the bulls of Victorino Martín and Victoriano del Río stood out.

Due to the rains of the last few days, the morning celebration of October 12 had to be suspended, a bullfight without picadors called End of the Road to Las Ventas Competition, in which three young students from different schools in the Community were bullfighting.

The end-of-season balance sheet of the Bullfighting Affairs Centre, according to data from the company awarded Plaza 1, confirms an upward trend. Thus, the figures for San Isidro 2024, the most important cycle in the world, reflect that a record number of subscribers was also broken, with 16.575. The sign of No tickets 14 afternoons and an economic impact of 80 million euros was generated during the fair alone.

Bulls and cultural activities 

The Autumn Fair has also hosted free activities to promote and encourage the festival. In the Antonio Bienvenida room, a monographic exhibition was organised on the life and career of the Valencian matador Enrique Ponce. For its part, the Antoñete room hosts the exhibition Grant the impossible, about the intimate connection between the Virgin of Rocío and the world of bullfighting, and remains open until October 20.

The Community of Madrid reopened the Bullfighting Museum in the Las Ventas Bullring in September, after completing its modernisation works. The Minister of Environment, Agriculture and Interior, Carlos Novillo, visited this space today, touring its three rooms, where works of art and historical objects related to bullfighting are on display. Also the chapel that the bullfighters frequent before going out into the ring, which has been restored on days without bullfights, so that the bullfighters could use it.

The minister has highlighted “the efforts of the regional government to maintain in optimal conditions a Site of Cultural Interest that receives thousands of people every year”. The Madrid government has invested half a million euros in these renovation works, which began in February. Specifically, the roof, the upper and internal ceilings have been repaired, and painting and masonry work has also been carried out.

The museum is currently divided into three large rooms: the first, dedicated to the bullring; the second, to the fighting bulls, bullfighters and their outfits; and the last room with original paintings and posters of the Goya bullfights of May 2 and the Beneficencia, signed by Barceló, Arroyo, Úrculo, Pérez Villalta, Manuel Alcorlo and Alicia Ochoa, among other artists.

More than 150.000 bullfighting fans from all five continents visited the Plaza Las Ventas in 2023, the eighth most visited monument in the region. The schedules and information about the tour can be found at Bullfighting Museum of Las Ventas.

Some of the most prominent figures of the current bullfighting scene will pass through the Veneto arena. For seven afternoons it will feature the participation of bullfighters such as Roca Rey, José María Manzanares, Miguel Ángel Perera or Emilio de Justo. These last two will star in the Hispanic Bullfight in a head-to-head where the cattle from the prestigious cattle ranch of Victorino Martin.
Other names that are part of the poster are Paco Ureña and Tomás Rufo, and Borja Jiménez and Fernando Adrián, winners this year of the San Isidro Fair and the Charity Fair, respectively. Román, David Galván or Víctor Hernández -winner of the Chenel Cup- will also perform the Paseíllo. Likewise, the young Samuel Navalon will confirm your alternative.
The Autumn Fair once again makes a firm commitment to the bullfighters and the promotion of the quarry with the presence of emerging figures such as Jesús Moreno, Villita or Diego Bastos on September 29, and Valentín Hoyos, Nek Romero and Alejandro Chicharro, on day 3. Finally, in the livestock chapter, Juan Pedro Domecq, Puerto de San Lorenzo, Victoriano del Río and Toros de Cortés and Fuente Ymbro stand out, in addition to the aforementioned Victorino Martín cattle.

On a cultural level, and in parallel to the bullfighting cycle, there will be numerous activities planned to promote and promote the festival. Thus, the Antonio Bienvenida room will offer a free monograph on the life and career of the Valencian bullfighter. Enrique Ponce. Historical costumes of lights, trophies, photographs and a compilation of his brilliant professional career will remain on display in a unique space that will serve as a tribute to the Chiva bullfighter.

In addition, tribute will be paid to the recently deceased bullfighter Paco Way, closely linked to Madrid and Las Ventas where he obtained 12 large doors.

The Antoñete room will host "Give the impossible", a journey about the intimate connection of the Virgen del Rocío with the world of bullfighting, which arrives for the first time in the capital. It will remain for a month, from September 20, with free access for visitors. Posters, Goya engravings and multiple items related to this image will be displayed under the coordination of the Matrix Brotherhood of the Virgin in Almonte (Huelva).

Likewise, the photographer's work is displayed in the display cases on lower levels 1 and 2. Manuel Serrano with the title The emotion of the fleeting, where you can see the bullfighting snapshot captured in motion.

Finally, as usual, each morning of the celebration different activities will be held in the square such as book presentations, discussions and round tables.

The Community of Madrid celebrates the V edition of Cénate Las Ventas, a leisure alternative that fuses nighttime bullfights with a wide gastronomic offer of regional products. The Minister of the Environment, Agriculture and Interior, Carlos Novillo, today presented this proposal that will be held on Thursday nights in the Monumental Bullring, from June 27 to July 25.

Thus, the public will be able to enjoy four qualifying celebrations in which twelve young bullfighters will seek a place in the final while tasting a wide variety of local Madrid foods from the agricultural and livestock sector. This bullfighting event will take place between 21:00 p.m. and 23:00 p.m.

Dine Las Ventas It is an initiative that the regional government, in collaboration with the Plaza 1 company, launched for the first time in 2018 and, since then, it has consolidated to become one of the most notable nightlife events in the capital during the summer. . Proof of this is that, in 2023, it had nearly 40.000 attendees, with an average of 8.000 spectators per bullfight. In this V edition, the same schedules and prices are maintained with tickets from 3,7 euros, which can now be purchased on the website: Sales.

A total of 19 local producer companies, many of them holders of the M Certified Product quality seal, will present in a market located in the high-rise gallery, a wide range of foods ranging from prepared dishes, to meat, dairy products, empanadas Argentines, cheeses, preserves or potatoes, as well as vermouths and wines from the Vinos de Madrid designation of origin.

The counselor has highlighted the characteristics of this proposal, "so special and different, that it offers a unique opportunity to enjoy this arena, the Monumental, the world epicenter of bullfighting, along with the best of our agri-food sector."

-The Community of Madrid has delivered the trophies to the successful bullfighters and ranchers at the San Isidro Fair last year. The Minister of the Environment, Agriculture and Interior, Carlos Novillo, and the delegate of Culture, Tourism and Sports of the capital, Marta Rivera de la Cruz, presided over the ceremony in the Antonio Bienvenida Room of the Las Ventas Bullring.

The winners were the matador Fernando Adrián and the bullfighter Jorge Martínez, with Cartelero being designated as the bravest bull, number 63 from José Escolar's ranch. All of them have received original sculptures by the artist Pepe Puente, created specifically for the occasion. Furthermore, the most complete bullfight has been that of Santiago Domecq's iron, recognized with the traditional discovery of an accrediting tile in the Monumental hauling yard.

The Community of Madrid today presented the II Bravo Meat Week, organized by the Association of Chefs and Pastry Chefs of Madrid (ACYRE), with the aim of promoting the culinary use of fighting bull from native livestock farms.

During the event, held in the Las Ventas Bullring, the Minister of Environment, Agriculture and Interior, Carlos Novillo, highlighted the importance of publicizing this product “from a 100% native breed, which has high nutritional levels.” , low in fat and that helps conserve the Madrid pasture, fundamental to our biodiversity.” 

The tasting will be available in the second half of May, coinciding with the San Isidro Fair, in hospitality establishments in the capital, Morata de Tajuña, Navacerrada, Collado Mediano, Pozuelo de Alarcón and Valdemorillo. In addition, on the weekends of the 17th to the 19th and from the 24th to the 26th of this month, nine others from the Sierra Norte will join the initiative, specifically, from La Hiruela, Buitrago del Lozoya, Montejo de la Sierra, Horcajuelo, La Cabrera, Rascafría, Garganta de los Montes and Canencia. In all of them there will be a recipe made with pieces such as high or low loins from cattle from the region.

Chefs such as Pepa Muñoz, 2024 ambassador of M Certified Product, the quality and traceability seal that highlights the best foods grown, produced or prepared in the Community of Madrid, participate in the proposal, who will offer a dish of this origin in her restaurant El Qüenco from Pepa. Likewise, chefs from gastronomic spaces such as Cachivache, Mesón Licinia, Cedro, La Raquetista or Casa Aldaba, among others, will join. Its objective is to reach consumers, but also involve other professionals in the sector so that they begin to introduce this meat into their menus.

The Minister thanked ACYRE for the development of this activity, which is sponsored by the regional Executive, and encouraged those present “to continue their commitment to incorporate a new local food into the market, committed to animal welfare, which promotes "respect for the natural environment and favors rural development"

The Minister of Environment, Agriculture and Interior of the Community of Madrid, Carlos Novillo, today inaugurated the International Country Fair, SICampo, and the II Countryside Festival, which are being held at the Zarzuela Hippodrome from this Thursday until next Sunday, a space that promotes rural life, its values ​​and customs, as well as nature, leisure, culture, crafts, gastronomy and sustainable fashion.

The counselor, who has toured the different tents of the fair, has valued the “important work carried out by the primary sector and its associated industry in the region” and the quality of Madrid products, “increasingly in demand inside and outside of Spain for its indisputable variety and value, both for its designations of origin and for those that have the M Certified Product seal and that show the good work of our producers.” 

Organized by the Asociación de Campo y sus Costumbres (ACC) and Alianza Rural, this meeting brings together the PDO Wines of Madrid and Oils of Madrid, the Protected Geographical Identification PGI Meat from the Sierra de Guadarrama or the Quality Denomination of Field Olives Real.

The Community of Madrid will celebrate the fourth edition of the Chenel Cup from March 2 to June 30, which will have a total of 14 celebrations, three more than in 2023. The regional government fully finances this bullfighting event organized by the Toro de Lidia Foundation , with the aim of giving a chance to lesser-known bullfighters. The Minister of Environment, Agriculture and Interior, Carlos Novillo, attended today at the Monumental Bullring of Las Ventas the presentation of the cycle that will take place in 13 municipalities in the region.
There, he highlighted how “year after year the Chenel Cup consolidates, grows and improves. Proof of this are the nearly one hundred applications willing to participate, which once again certifies the extraordinary reception it has had among professionals in the sector and the success of the regional government in firmly supporting this project."
This edition will begin in the municipality of Valdilecha, which will be followed by Brea de Tajo, Villarejo de Salvanés, Estremera, Cercedilla, San Agustín de Guadalix, Torres de la Alameda, Algete, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Valdemoro, Valdetorres de Jarama, Alalpardo and, finally, Móstoles, which will host the two finals (June 29 and 30). For Novillo, “this circuit of 14 runs through the region, in addition to promoting its tourism, gastronomy and commercial network, will turn these towns into authentic centers of cultural attraction around the National Holiday.

Like every year, the winner will have a guaranteed place on the poster of the Corrida de la Hispanidad that will be held at the Monumental de Las Ventas on October 12. Celebration that ends the season.

MADRID, CAPITAL OF THE WORLD OF BULLFIGHTING

A total of 21 bullfighters will compete for the trophy in tribute to maestro Antonio Chenel Antoñete. The complete list of those chosen for this year is made up of: Madrid-born Diego García, Víctor Hernández and Rafael de Julia; Alejandro Fermín from Extremadura, who repeats after being injured in his first bull last year. From Andalusia, the Cádiz natives Christian Parejo and Miguel Ángel Pacheco enter; the Sevillian Ángel Jiménez El Astigitano; and Javier Moreno Lagartijo from Córdoba.
Manuel Diosleguarde, from Salamanca, will also compete, as the winner of the Castilla y León Circuit in 2021, Alejandro Marcos and Antonio Grande. From Albacete, José Fernando Molina and Cristian Pérez. The bullfighter Rubén Sanz, from Soria, will also have a place; Álvaro Alarcón from Toledo; Antonio Puerta from Murcia and Mario Sotos, from Cuenca.
Likewise, for the second consecutive year we wanted to give an international character to the event, as the world capital of bullfighting is the city of Madrid, offering bullfighters from Mexico, Peru, France or Portugal the opportunity to participate. In this way, Thomas Joubert, from France, will pass through the Madrid arena; the Mexican Luis David Adame; the Peruvian Alfonso de Lima, and the Portuguese Manuel Dias Gomes.

ABOUT HALF OF THE HORNED COME FROM THE MADRID COUNTRYSIDE

The 2024 Chenel Cup will not only have an increase in the number of bullfights, but it will also increase the number of cattle ranches with a total of 29, six more than in the previous edition. Almost half of the selected bulls come from Madrid's wild countryside, “thus giving an opportunity to the region's ranchers to show the quality and bravery of their cattle,” as indicated by Councilor Novillo.

El Estoque, Cerrolongo, El Retamar, Montealto, Los Eulogios, Flor de Jara, Ángel Luis Peña, Monte la Ermita, Concha y Sierra, Aurelio Hernando, Zacarías Moreno, Baltasar Iban and Victoriano del Río, will put their cattle raised in the Community of Madrid, in the Monumental de Las Ventas.

The Minister of Environment, Agriculture and Interior of the Community of Madrid, Carlos Novillo, today chaired the Board of Directors of the Center for Bullfighting Affairs (CAT), the body that approves the composition of the posters for the festivities held in the Las Ventas Bullring. During the meeting, the approval was given to those of the San Isidro Fair 2024, which will take place from May 10 to June 8. In total, there will be 21 bullfights that will feature the greatest figures of current and emerging bullfighting, 3 bullfights with picadors and 2 with bullfights. 

Novillo has highlighted how "one more year, the best bullfighters, the most relevant ranches, recognized figures from the world of bullfighting and the most leading bullfighters, meet in the month of May in the first bullring in the world." The approval has also been given to the posters for the celebrations of May 1 and 2, on the occasion of the celebration of the Community of Madrid Day, the latter with the traditional Goyesca Bullfight, as well as those of the Extraordinary Bullfight of the Charity (June 9) and the In Memoriam, which this year 
will remember the figure of the teacher Antonio Chenel Antoñete (June 16).