The Ronda Bullring authority, La Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda, has just announced the suspension of the traditional Goyesca bullfight scheduled for 7 September 2024, as well as the other parts of the bullfighting programme.
The corridas de toros are an integral part of the Feria de Pedro Romero.
The authorities have decided that they cannot guarantee the safety of spectators when the bullring is full. This decision has been based on the latest study of the structure of what is the oldest plaza de toros in Spain.
The announcement was made on Wednesday of this week at a press conference held by the lieutenant of the Real Maestranza, Rafael Atienza, accompanied by the director, Ignacio Herrera, and the architect of the CDC Arquitectos Studio, Isabel Serrano.
Rafael Atienza explained that the bullring lacks proper foundations, with the colonnade being the most sensitive part. The building has always been subject to consolidation works since 1880. The last major works were carried out 25 years ago.
Based on the latest investigation, using state-of-the-art techniques, the team of architects, the engineering company and the Department of Building Structures and Terrain Engineering of the School of Architecture of the University of Seville cannot guarantee one hundred percent safety with the bullring full, as it would be during the bullfights of the Feria de Pedro Romero.
"For the first time, taking into account that a rainy winter after several years of drought and two summers of extreme heat has had a detrimental effect on the structure of the plaza de toros,” said Señor Atienza.
“The most prudent and responsible thing to do is to … cancel the events that involve the filling of the plaza".
As a result, he went on, "we regret to inform you that this year it will not be possible to celebrate the Goyesca bullfight or the festivities that accompany it. Safety, as you can imagine, is our main concern."
Atienza continued "we greatly regret this decision, … because … 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the fatal goring of Francisco Rivera 'Paquirri' and 25 years since the death of Antonio Ordóñez.”
However, Rafael Atienza assured us that "this cancellation is a postponement since we hope that next year we will be able to renew the usual programming with a renovated plaza".
The line-up, which was to include the matadores Morante de la Puebla, Alejandro Talavante and Daniel Luque and the rejoneador Diego Ventura, had been announced two months ago by the business manager of the bullring Francisco Rivera Ordóñez, son of “Paquirri” and himself a former celebrated matador.
Alas, we shall have to wait ...
Photos:
From top to bottom:
Plaza de Toros, Ronda
Pedro Romero
"Paquirri"
"Fran" Rivera Ordoñez
Acknowledgements:
Paul Whitelock
Ronda Semanal
Taurophilos
Wikipedia
Tags:
Antonio Ordoñez, bullfight, corrida de toros, Feria de Pedro Romero, Fran, Francisco Rivera Ordoñez, Goyesca, Ignacio Herrera, Isabel Serrano, Paquirri, Paul Whitelock, Pedro Romero, plaza de toros, Rafael Atienza, Real Maestranza, Ronda, Ronda Semanal, Taurophilos, Wikipedia