At five past seven in the afternoon he gestured to his men Jose Manuel Tristan so that the Maestro Tejera Band will play ‘Plaza de la Maestranza’ in this luxury parade to be held in Colón Hall of the Municipality of Seville to pay homage to one of the great legends in the history of bullfighting: Francisco Camino Sánchez, Paco Camino. His widow led that exciting journey, Isabel Sanchez-Florwho could not hide from his face the satisfaction and pride of seeing how he had finally recognized ‘The Wise Boy of Camas’ in his land. An occasional presidential box has been set up where the Presidency of the local plenary Session is based. In the center, the mayor of Seville, José Luis Sanzsupported by the president of the Andalusian Parliament, Jesus Aguirreand the delegate to the Great Celebrations of the Municipality of Seville, Manuel aleswho could be considered the artistic and veterinary consultants of this unique festivity.
Not even a month had passed since the jury of the prestigious award – recovered a year ago by the municipal administration after the hidden cancellation of the socialist-Podemite phase– agreed to posthumously recognize the great matador of Camas,who died at the end of last July at the age of 83. The plenary hall of the Town Hall was full, full of bullfighters Emilio Muñoz and Juan Antonio Ruiz ’Espartaco’ –VIII Bullfighting Award of Seville–, fans and also politicians, represented by the municipal groups of PP, PSOE and Vox, absent only the representatives of Con Podemos and Izquierda Unida, who opted for the bullish term of ‘espantá’.
The first shots of the afternoon were the work of the delegate Manuel Aleswho recalled that «Bullfighting is the Fiesta Mayor of Seville“, adding that “talking about Seville is talking about bulls, and talking about bulls is talking about Seville”. “We have the obligation to defend the national holiday, being an inseparable part of our way of being and our traditions.” Subsequently, the Tejera Band honored the Valencian people with the pasodoble ‘Valencia’ by José Padilla – subsequently he also performed the sounds of ‘Paco Camino’, a pasodoble that they recovered and which it would not be surprising if it was soon played in the Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza–, giving way to Jose Luis Lopezwho gave a profound speech on the camas bullfighter.
During his speech, the mayor underlined the city’s firm commitment to bullfighting as an essential part of its culture and identity: «Bulls are culture, an authentic culture, oursso tied to who we are, that this corporation will always maintain its defense of bullfighting. Seville is a world reference and cradle of bullfighting, with its temple in the Maestranza. It is therefore an honor for me to preside over this event and pay homage to Paco Camino, an undisputed master who left us a few months ago.
isabel Sanchez-FlorAfter accepting the award, he underlined that it was an award that the maestro “would have liked to receive personally” because he “adored his city, his people and his family. “He felt like a Cameroonian and a Sevillian, and it showed wherever he whent.” The widow, visibly moved, observed that during the 37 years of their relationship “I learned more with him than at university”. «I will always carry him in my heart, always».
The jury, made up of specialized journalists, breeders, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts, evaluated the career, meaning and teaching of the bullfighter Paco Camino. Mayor Sanz recalled the master’s “generosity” towards the bulls and stressed that “Paco Camino not only dominated the bull; I understood and respected him.He was a noble master who gave part of his protagonism to the animalknowing that without him his success would not have been possible.
In his speech, Mayor José Luis Sanz highlighted the importance of bullfighting not only as an artistic and cultural expression, but also as an economic driver and noted that “Bullfighting moves more than 500 million euros in Sevillestructuring both our culture and our economic advancement. Because of this very reason, faced with decisions such as the elimination of the National Bullfighting Award, in Seville we decided to recover ours, which had also been suppressed by the previous corporation.
how do tributes to bullfighting legends like Paco Camino influence public perception of the practice?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Bullfighting expert
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, and thank you for joining us today. We’re here to discuss a momentous event that took place recently in seville, honoring one of bullfighting’s legends, Paco Camino.Joining me is Dr. Emilia Ruiz,a cultural historian and expert in the field of andalusian traditions. Welcome,Dr. Ruiz!
Dr.Emilia Ruiz: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here and to discuss such a significant figure in bullfighting history.
Editor: Let’s dive right in! The homage was held in the Colón Hall of the Municipality of Seville, with an extraordinary parade led by the Maestro Tejera Band. What do you think makes such ceremonial events important in preserving cultural history?
Dr. Ruiz: Ceremonial events like this are vital for preserving cultural heritage. They provide a public platform to celebrate individuals like Paco Camino, known as ‘The Wise Boy of Camas.’ It not only honors his memory but also educates the younger generation about the contributions he made to the art of bullfighting.The music, the location, and the community gathering all play a role in keeping the tradition alive.
Editor: Absolutely. I understand that Isabel Sanchez-Flor, Paco Camino’s widow, played a vital role during the event. How significant is it for the family to be involved in such tributes?
Dr. Ruiz: It is incredibly significant. isabel’s presence adds a personal touch and emotional depth to the tribute. She represents the legacy that paco left behind, which is as much personal as it is cultural. Her pride in his recognition serves as an acknowledgment of the sacrifices and hardships they both endured in the world of bullfighting—a world often riddled with controversy and passion.
Editor: The event was also attended by notable political figures, including the mayor of Seville and the president of the Andalusian Parliament. How do you think thier involvement impacts the perception of bullfighting in contemporary society?
Dr. Ruiz: The involvement of political figures can lend legitimacy and credibility to traditional practices like bullfighting. Though, it also opens the door to discussions about modernization and reform within the tradition. As societal values evolve, events like this act as a reminder of the rich history of bullfighting, while also prompting critical conversations about its future and ethical considerations.
Editor: That makes sense. there’s often a struggle between tradition and modernity in cultural practices.What are your thoughts on how events like this can bridge that gap?
Dr. Ruiz: Events like this can be an opportunity for dialog. They allow people to celebrate the artistry and emotion involved in bullfighting while also addressing the ethical complexities it presents today. By bringing the community together, those who cherish the tradition can share perspectives and perhaps even explore progressive changes that honor the spirit of bullfighting while adapting to contemporary values.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Ruiz, for your insightful commentary. As we conclude,what do you hope people take away from events that honor legends like Paco Camino?
Dr. Ruiz: I hope people remember the artistry that bullfighting embodies. I want them to appreciate the deep cultural roots it has in Andalusia and to see these traditions not just as relics of the past, but as living practices that can evolve. Ultimately,the respect for both the artistry and the narrative behind it should shine through in any homage.
Editor: Powerful closing thoughts, Dr.Ruiz. Thank you for your time and insights today. It’s been a fascinating conversation!
Dr.Ruiz: Thank you! I enjoyed it and appreciate the opportunity to discuss such an critically important topic.