The Minister of the Presidency, Interior, Social Dialogue, and Administrative Simplification, Antonio Sanz, presided over the Provincial Bullfighting Awards of Huelva at the Cardenio Theater in Ayamonte (Huelva). The event was attended by the Government Delegate of the Junta in Huelva, José Manuel Correa, and the President of the Provincial Council of Huelva, David Toscano.
In its twenty-fourth edition, these awards recognized bullfighter David de Miranda as the season’s triumph, Barba Verde Nº 59 from the José Luís Pereda breeding farm, who was pardoned at La Merced Bullring, as the best bull, and Diego Ventura as the best rejoneador. Additionally, recognitions were given to Javier Zulueta as the best novice bullfighter with picadors, David Ramírez as the best novice bullfighter without picadors, Ángel Otero as the best subaltern, José Cartes as the best picador, and model, actress, and presenter Laura Sánchez for her promotion, dissemination, and defense of bullfighting.
Antonio Sanz congratulated the awardees and the 30 municipalities in Huelva affiliated with the Bullfighting Municipalities Network of Andalusia (Remta): «Today’s awards are a well-deserved recognition of your work and another example of the Andalusian Government’s support for bullfighting.» He also emphasized, «We have always defended bullfighting without any reservations and value it as one of the most important cultural heritages in our country.»
As an example of the Andalusian Government’s support for bullfighting, he mentioned Remta, the support for novillada projects, the Technical Days of Governmental and Veterinary Teams of Bullrings in Andalusia, and the Andalusian Bullfighting Awards, which will be presented on March 26th. He highlighted the television broadcasts on Canal Sur: «Last season was a great success, with an accumulated audience of over four million viewers, demonstrating the interest and attraction of bullfighting to the public.» He also remarked, «I’m sure the Minister of Culture didn’t have these figures when he claimed bullfighting was ‘irrelevant’.»
Special mentions were also awarded to Cástulo Moreno, President of the José Doblado Bullfighting Club in Palos de la Frontera, María Teresa Paús, a pharmacist and avid bullfighting enthusiast, and the ‘Tendido 12’ club for its 40th anniversary.
Recognition was also given to the musical bands that performed during bullfighting events last season. The following bands received this distinction: Villaldea de Zalamea la Real Music Band, Arroyomolinos de León Municipal Music Band, Rosal de la Frontera Municipal Music Band, Villarrasa Municipal Music Band, Nuestra Señora del Carmen de Villalba del Alcor Music Band, Cartaya Musical Athenaeum, Higuera de la Sierra Municipal Music Band, Cala Music Band, Juan Fernández Vázquez de Aroche Municipal Music Band, Nuestra Señora Madre de Consolación de Huelva Music Band, ‘Don Luis’ Music Band of Zufre, Palos de la Frontera Municipal Music Band, Do Samouco Band, ‘Villa de Nerva’ Music Band, Aracena Municipal Music Band, and Valverde del Camino Municipal Music Band, along with composer Félix de Carboneras.
The jury evaluated the 23 bullfighting events from the past year, including six bullfights, four mixed bullfights, four rejoneo events, five novilladas with picadors, three novilladas without picadors, and one novillada.
In attendance at the awards ceremony were David Gil, General Secretary of the Interior, and José María Mayo, Deputy Mayor of Ayamonte, as well as territorial delegates, provincial deputies, mayors, councilors, authorities, and bullfighting enthusiasts.
