At OISE Oxford we are fortunate enough to meet students from all around the world, many of them with very interesting stories to tell. The Student Spotlight sessions that we post on this blog allow us to share these stories with you. So far we have had a Florist from Italy and a famous actor.
Today's Student Spotlight session was with 37 year old Luis Oloriz, a bullfighter from Ondarreta, a small Spanish pueblo near San Sebastian. At first sight you wouldn't think that Luis was a bullfighter. He has a slight build, soft calm voice, and not a hint of bravado about him. His bullfighting name was, rather appropriately, 'The Slim One from Ondarreta (El Finito de Ondarreta . It's hard to imagine him in the ring with a 300-400kg charging bull. So here is the interview:
Q: When did you start getting into bullfighting?
A: I started about 10 years ago, just as a hobby. A local farmer friend of the family had a field and some bulls and said I could give it a go, and so I thought why not try it. It was soon apparent that I was actually quite good and I was encouraged to partake in a proper bullfighting event.
I should add that in Spain there are two types of professional bullfighters, a Torero and a Matador. Toreros fight more on a local level with slightly smaller bulls and the Matadors are, if you like, the equivalent of the football Premier League footballers, with only 12 Matadors in the whole of Spain.
Q: Do you still fight?
A: No, I gave up about a year ago. But I miss it and would like to start again. At my level, it's not really a profession that provides enough income to live from. Most Toreros, right down to the younger age groups will study and/or train at the same time, as well as having a day job.
Training takes a lot of dedication. It is great for teaching the young ones to stay focussed. To improve, not only do they have to keep fit, but they also have to read up on the sport and remain committed. All of these are useful qualities for later on in life. Furthermore, bullfighters usually come from the small rural villages where there's not much to do, so it's fantastic to keep them active.
Q: What's the scariest moment?
A: I would say right at the start. In any given day there will usually be around 5-6 fights, and only just before the start of the match do they tell you which bull you will be fighting. Obviously they vary, weight, size of horns, aggression etc. Once you've agreed to partake in the event, no matter how big and ugly that bull is, there's no turning back, otherwise no one will involve you in the next one.
If the bull charges through the red cape without stopping, you're OK. If it hesitates before, that's when you've got a problem, as he might turn his horns towards you. You have to keep the cape moving while keeping your body still.
Q: It must be quite a feeling to know that everyone is cheering you on?
A: Well, to be honest I am not really concentrating on the crowd, but the big bull in front of me. I do enjoy the adrenalin, though, and I particularly enjoy the personal challenge. While you are part of a team, out there in the ring you are alone, just you and the bull.
Q: How many spectators will attend a bullfight?
A: Well around 10,000 spectators come to watch the Matadors, and 3,000 to watch the Toledos.
Q: So people must recognise you in the street?
A: Yes, of course. While the Toreros may have a smaller number of spectators, people come from all across Spain to watch us in the ring.
Q: Bullfighting is quite a controversial topic in Spain. What are you views?
A:Well, in Spain I think it's less to do with animal cruelty and more to do with political reasons. Many see bullfighting as being a typically Spanish tradition, and they do not think of themselves as Spanish, rather Catalan, Basque, Galician etc.
Today's Student Spotlight session was with 37 year old Luis Oloriz, a bullfighter from Ondarreta, a small Spanish pueblo near San Sebastian. At first sight you wouldn't think that Luis was a bullfighter. He has a slight build, soft calm voice, and not a hint of bravado about him. His bullfighting name was, rather appropriately, 'The Slim One from Ondarreta (El Finito de Ondarreta . It's hard to imagine him in the ring with a 300-400kg charging bull. So here is the interview:Q: When did you start getting into bullfighting?
A: I started about 10 years ago, just as a hobby. A local farmer friend of the family had a field and some bulls and said I could give it a go, and so I thought why not try it. It was soon apparent that I was actually quite good and I was encouraged to partake in a proper bullfighting event.
I should add that in Spain there are two types of professional bullfighters, a Torero and a Matador. Toreros fight more on a local level with slightly smaller bulls and the Matadors are, if you like, the equivalent of the football Premier League footballers, with only 12 Matadors in the whole of Spain.
Q: Do you still fight?
A: No, I gave up about a year ago. But I miss it and would like to start again. At my level, it's not really a profession that provides enough income to live from. Most Toreros, right down to the younger age groups will study and/or train at the same time, as well as having a day job.
Training takes a lot of dedication. It is great for teaching the young ones to stay focussed. To improve, not only do they have to keep fit, but they also have to read up on the sport and remain committed. All of these are useful qualities for later on in life. Furthermore, bullfighters usually come from the small rural villages where there's not much to do, so it's fantastic to keep them active.
Q: What's the scariest moment?A: I would say right at the start. In any given day there will usually be around 5-6 fights, and only just before the start of the match do they tell you which bull you will be fighting. Obviously they vary, weight, size of horns, aggression etc. Once you've agreed to partake in the event, no matter how big and ugly that bull is, there's no turning back, otherwise no one will involve you in the next one.
If the bull charges through the red cape without stopping, you're OK. If it hesitates before, that's when you've got a problem, as he might turn his horns towards you. You have to keep the cape moving while keeping your body still.
Q: It must be quite a feeling to know that everyone is cheering you on?
A: Well, to be honest I am not really concentrating on the crowd, but the big bull in front of me. I do enjoy the adrenalin, though, and I particularly enjoy the personal challenge. While you are part of a team, out there in the ring you are alone, just you and the bull.
Q: How many spectators will attend a bullfight?
A: Well around 10,000 spectators come to watch the Matadors, and 3,000 to watch the Toledos.
Q: So people must recognise you in the street?
A: Yes, of course. While the Toreros may have a smaller number of spectators, people come from all across Spain to watch us in the ring.
Q: Bullfighting is quite a controversial topic in Spain. What are you views?A:Well, in Spain I think it's less to do with animal cruelty and more to do with political reasons. Many see bullfighting as being a typically Spanish tradition, and they do not think of themselves as Spanish, rather Catalan, Basque, Galician etc.
