Bullfighting critics Antonio Lorca López (Seville, 71 years old) —collaborator of EL PAÍS— and Carlos Crivell Charnego (Seville, 75 years old) —collaborator in various media— are the winners of the Marcelino Moronta Award. The jury of the National Association of Arena Presidents (ANPTE), which awards the prize, underlines its “work in favor of the conservation, promotion and dignity of bullfighting”. Both communicators are characterized by their independence in writing articles and news “always at the service of enthusiasts to capture in a clean and interest-free way what was happening in the arena or on the bullfighting scene”, according to the statement released by the association. The delivery will take place soon in Malaga, as part of the events of the XIV National Assembly of the ANPTE.
The prize is awarded to those people or institutions that contribute to the defense of Bullfighting, based on the traditional rites of the festival, the integrity of the bullfighting bull and the death of the bull in the arena. In its second edition, the Marcelino Moronta Prize is awarded jointly to both critics. The proposal was presented by ANPTE member José Luis Fernández, who highlighted the winners’ path in the areas linked to the diffusion of Bullfighting and its link with “the values and practices that define this cultural event”.
Both Lorca and Crivell have participated in various information spaces for years, where they have documented events related to bullfighting. Sevillians have publicly defended bullfighting in national and international forums and have promoted education and respect for bullfighting culture among new generations of enthusiasts. Through articles published in the media, both have expressed approaches that coincide with the principles collected by the ANPTE. Among these are references to issues such as the integrity of the bull, the application of regulations or the need for the public to know the fundamental aspects of bullfighting.
An example cited by the ANPTE is an article by Antonio Lorca on the San Miguel Fair in Seville, in which he raises a reflection on elements linked to the integrity of the festival and the education of the fans: “The excuse of an ignorant and triumphalist public does not justify that something is to the detriment of the integrity of the bullfight”. Likewise, a text by Carlos Crivell published in sevillatoro.espresented in the form of a letter addressed to various operators in the sector, in which he explains considerations related to the functions of presidents, breeders and other professionals: “I would ask the presidents to always defend the interests of the fans. This translates into the application of the rules, the approval of the bull that corresponds to each arena and the fair assignment of the trophies.”
Last year, the award (created in homage to the founding member of the ANPTE, Marcelino Moronta) went to Jesús Hijosa Lucas, mayor of Villaseca de la Sagra, for the promotion of the culture of bullfighting in the municipality of Toledo.
