29 August 2007

MADRID - Spain marked the 60th anniversary of the fatal wounding in the ring of bullfighter Manolete, considered by some to be the greatest torero of all time.

A two-day bullfighting festival got underway on Tuesday in Linares, deep in the southern region of Andalusia, where Manolete was fatally gored in his right thigh at the age of 30 on August 28, 1947 on a baking afternoon before a stunned crowd.

Among the matadors scheduled to perform was Jose Tomas, who stepped out of retirement earlier this year, and who is a self-proclaimed admirer of the sober and serious style in the ring which helped make the late bullfighter a legend.

Dozens of books have been published about Manolete, born Manuel Rodriguez Sanchez, which focus as much on his romantic tryst with controversial actress Lupe Sino as much as his career.

"Creator in the postwar period of a style that still lasts, the matador with the long face and sad eyes transformed the fight into an art," author Juan Soto Vinolo wrote in a new book on the matador which will be officially unveiled on Friday.

Excerpts of the book, "Manolete, the life and loves of a legendary torero", were published on Tuesday in top-selling daily Spanish newspaper El Pais.

"Manolete" is also the title of the sentimental film due for release this autumn by Dutch director Menno Meyjes with Adrien Brody in the torero's lead role alongside Penelope Cruz as his paramour.

Admired for his almost reckless bravery in the arena, Manolete also had a reputation for arrogance and was nicknamed the Khalifa of Cordoba, where he was born on July 4, 1917, as well as "the Monster" for his talent.

[Copyright AFP with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news