Toro embolado
Encyclopedia
A toro embolado is a festive activity, typical of many towns in Spain
, in which a bull that has balls of flammable material attached to its horns, which are set on fire, is set free in the streets at night, and participants dodge the bull when it comes close. It can be considered a variant of an encierro. This activity is held in a number of Spanish
towns during their local festivals
. In recent years, animal welfare activists have attempted to stop this practise from happening due to the supposed cruelty to the animal.
The animal is usually tied to a post and then teams of people prevent it from moving while a wooden frame with two spikes with balls of flammable material is attached to its horns. These are then set alight and the rope is cut. Sometimes fireworks
are attached too, which then go off shortly afterwards. There is usually a barricade separating the bull from the spectators.
A somewhat similar activity is the Toro de fuego
, in which the live bull is replaced by a bull-resembling metal frame, held by a runner, which is set alight.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, in which a bull that has balls of flammable material attached to its horns, which are set on fire, is set free in the streets at night, and participants dodge the bull when it comes close. It can be considered a variant of an encierro. This activity is held in a number of Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
towns during their local festivals
Fiesta patronal
The Fiestas patronales are yearly celebrations held in countries influenced by Spanish culture.A fiesta patronal is usually dedicated to a saint or virgin, who is the patron of whichever city holds the fiesta. Usually, town members adorn the town streets with colorful decorations and other things...
. In recent years, animal welfare activists have attempted to stop this practise from happening due to the supposed cruelty to the animal.
The animal is usually tied to a post and then teams of people prevent it from moving while a wooden frame with two spikes with balls of flammable material is attached to its horns. These are then set alight and the rope is cut. Sometimes fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks are a class of explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. A fireworks event is a display of the effects produced by firework devices...
are attached too, which then go off shortly afterwards. There is usually a barricade separating the bull from the spectators.
A somewhat similar activity is the Toro de fuego
Toro de fuego
A toro de fuego is a festive activity in which a bull-resembling metal frame, with fireworks attached to it, is set alight, and then a person carrying the frame runs around town at night as if chasing people in the streets...
, in which the live bull is replaced by a bull-resembling metal frame, held by a runner, which is set alight.