A trip to the Bull Ring whilst studying Spanish in Bilbao

Whilst studying Spanish at Instituto Hemingway, there are many opportunities to take part in cultural activities. Spanish lessons are in the morning, leaving the afternoons free to explore the city and learn a bit more about Bilbao.. Every day the school organises an activity for its students, so that they thoroughly enjoy their stay in the city.

Along with paella, flamenco and sangria, bullfighting is another thing that Spain is famous for. This controversial and exotic tradition is often thought to be typical to the south of Spain, but possibly the most famous Spanish event, the running of the bulls, takes place in Pamplona, which is not far from Bilbao, in the north of Spain.

Last Wednesday we took a trip to the Bilbao bullring and its museum, to learn a bit more about this famous Spanish tradition. We arrived at the bullring on a cold and wet February afternoon, and the place was deserted. Before heading to the museum, we wandered around the stands of the ring, in awe of its size, and also contemplated how it didn’t really feel like anything special without crowds of people and bulls in the ring. Apparently the ring is used for music concerts throughout the year, but there are still two weeks in mid summer every year when the tradition of bullfighting is carried out. As we were the only group at the bullring, the museum was opened specially for us, and we had a guide, who explained the history of bullfighting to us in Spanish. He showed us round some of the private rooms, such as the chapel where the matadors go to pray before going into the ring, and the room where the directors have private drinks before a bullfight.

The museum itself was small, but modern, informative and well presented. There were some really gruelling photos of matadors and bulls, and also costumes and an impressive stuffed bull. I really enjoyed the collection of paintings done to commemorate bullfighting in Bilbao, and it was great to have a guide that was so knowledgeable and passionate about what he did.

Although I’m in two minds about the ethics surrounding bullfighting, without a doubt I would like to go to see one at some point, just to witness the spectacle of this powerful tradition.

Where to see bullfighting near Bilbao:

Bullfighting in Plaza de Toros de Vista Alegre, Bilbao. The last two weeks of August Las Corridas Generales are held in Bilbao and there are bullfights held in the ring almost every day.

Pamplona running of the bulls is a famous event held in Pamplona, which is in the north of Spain, every year from the 6th-14th July, as part of the San Fermín festival. The first day is the opening ceremony, then every day after that there is the running of the bulls through the streets of Pamplona, starting at 8am, then bullfighting at the bullring in the evening. The whole festival is a very lively event, and there are fiestas every night lasting well into the following day.