Taurinos (village bull fiestas)

Some photos of the many local fiestas involving events with 'toros' or 'vacquillas'. The animals are not killed in these events but a fair amount of taunting takes place and the events can be very dangerous for participants.

Most events begin with an 'entrada' where the bulls run through the streets from the truck to the bull ring which is often the village square decked out with barriers, seating and mud covering the road.  Youths will run ahead of the pack and most onlookers carry sticks to frighten and  hit the bulls to speed them on their way  (pic: Penalba)

Sometimes  a bull roams the barricaded streets chasing anyone brave (or foolish) enough to challenge the bull (pic:Canet d'Berenguer)

Getting the bull to climb upon or over  the staged area is also worthy of a round of applause and often suprises those who are on it! (pic:Soneja)

Trainee matadors carried a wooden sword at this event and pretended to kill the bull  with their palm. There were one or two trainees who had to run for cover when the going got tough... plenty of gasps from the crowd (pic:Soneja)

The village fountain is a refuge but also a used as a sport as youths try and get the bull to chase them around it (pic: Caudiel)

Next page of bull!

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