Ronda goes Goyesque for annual fair
Even in the stifling heat earlier this week, Ronda put on its party clothes for the start of the Feria and Fiestas de Pedro Romero.
It began on Tuesday with the Cabalgata, a colourful parade which started the festivities dedicated to the bullfighter Pedro Romero and which has been declared of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía.
The town has prepared itself for the deluge of visitors attracted in particular to the Corrida Goyesca, the tradition bullfight of the fiesta. Cayetano, López Simón and the Manzanares brothers will be facing the bulls on Saturday at 5pm for the event that marks the 60th anniversary of the Corrida Goyesca.
The Damas Goyescas are a popular part of the parade. They, and their president and designer Ana Gómez, drew admiring looks from everyone in their beautiful, traditional dresses that have become part of the cultural heritage of the town. Inspired by the paintings by Goya, each dress is laboriously hand-stitched and embroidered.
This year the day feria will run longer, from 1pm until 8pm. Another change this year is the design of the gateway to the feria, completed by Ronda artist Antonio García, and inspired by an oil painting by Japanese artist Miki Haruta, who once lived in Ronda. Last year the design of the entrance way paid tribute to other former Ronda dwellers, Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles.
Sunday is the day of horse drawn carriages and picadors (bullfighting with a long lance).
The feria would not be complete without music and a series of concerts are planned.surinenglish