Julian Bream

What is a seemingly conservative Englishman doing, leading the world in the mastery of a classically Spanish instrument? Debussy wrote some of the best Spanish music, and the only time he was ever in the country, he saw a bullfight which made him ill.

British Musician

Christopher Lloyd

A picador is the guy in a bullfight who helps make sure the matador doesn't get killed by distracting the bull. That's what TV writing is. You're just distracting the bull long enough to stick around for the next set of commercials.

American Actor

Anthony Bourdain

I'm not Ted Nugent. My house is run, essentially, by an adopted, fully clawed cat with a mean nature. I would never hunt. I would never wear fur. I would never go to a bullfight. I'm not really a meat and potatoes guy.

American Author

Fernando Botero

I had an uncle who took me to the ring in Medellin when I was 15 years old. In school, we had someone who taught us how to bullfight.

Colombian Artist

D. B. Sweeney

More is asked of you on stage. It's no way to make a living. But it's like a bullfight. You find out who can do it and who can't.

Bullfighting is controversial, facing criticism for animal cruelty and praise for tradition.

Cultural Controversy

Primarily a spectator event, audiences watch matadors challenge bulls in an arena.

Spectator Activity

It's a traditional Spanish event, also found in some Latin American countries.

Spanish Origin

 first class fighters naturally fearful horses must get years of training before they can dance in the path of a charging bull the smallest mistake can mean the difference between life and death in the southern state of Yucatan a bullfight