He confesses that he’s exhausted, that he has slept only some hours for a very long time, however he says he feels joyful, very joyful. Not in useless has he achieved his life’s purpose: to be a businessman within the La Maestranza bullring.
José María Garzón (Seville, 1972) states that he was a vocational bullfighter and pageant bullfighter in his youthful years; In his new workplace in Seville, at present beneath development, he’ll dangle in a couple of days the pinnacle of a steer whose two ears have been minimize off in Jerez de la Frontera. 20 years in the past he based the corporate Lances de Futuro, which has gained status and recognition, and at present manages the markets in Seville, Málaga (till June 2), Córdoba, Santander, Cáceres and Torrejón. He assures that his secret is figure, plenty of work, and his revolutionary spirit.
But he’s additionally a cautious businessman. He flatly refuses to speak about what he should pay for the lease to the Real Maestranza, proprietor of the sq., about Morante’s emoluments or what Canal Sur and Onetoro TV pays for the printed of the April Fair. “Talking about money is cheap,” he whispers.
He conveys the picture of a conversational and pleasant man, and it’s clear that his agenda is full. “When this interview is over I will go home to change my clothes for the third time today.”
“Being a businessman in this place comes with a lot of work and the help of God. I never applied”
Ask. Was final Easter Sunday the happiest day of your skilled profession?
Answer. Yes. I skilled it with plenty of nerves, and I thought of so many individuals who’ve helped me get right here. My household and shut associates know the work I’ve put into pursuing this purpose. For me, bullfighting is a vocational difficulty, above all. I’m joyful as a result of I’ve achieved the dream of my life: to be a businessman from La Maestranza.
P. How is that this duty achieved? Do it’s a must to apply? Is it the property that calls you?
R. It comes with plenty of work and the assistance of God. I by no means utilized. They known as me very shortly earlier than the appointment was made public. You must ask the Real Maestranza.
P. How have been the negotiations with the academics?
R. I’m not going to speak about that matter. I’ve by no means spoken. Only my spouse and I do know him. I have never even instructed my lawyer.
P. It won’t rely, then, if the Real Maestranza has elevated the share to round 22% of the gross billing of every celebration that the earlier firm already paid.
R. I imagine that contracts are agreements between gents and shouldn’t be made public. We higher not proceed there. I’m clear about my administration, however I’m not going to inform what a bullfighter earns or what I pay to the property. It is widespread in corporations.
P. But the general public dimension of each the Real Maestranza and its firm would require higher transparency…
R. This is personal property. I believe I’m identified for my silences. I’m not an individual to speak.
P. Tell me, not less than, in case you had time to do the maths and conclude that the administration of the Sevillian plaza generally is a enterprise.
R. You play with what you possibly can intuit, with out the precise knowledge, which I will not have for a yr. You by no means know the end result till a good or a season is over. The economic system is essential, however it’s not a very powerful factor on this case. I give extra worth to different ideas. I guarantee you.
P. But he will not have come to lose cash…
R. I’ve misplaced it in different places, like Almería, for instance. The firm should make income, however this isn’t the basic motive that strikes me. On the opposite, I’ve launched a really giant funding: the restoration of La Venta de Antequera, the place 9 runs of the truthful will likely be exhibited, a ten% low cost for the just about 3,600 subscribers (with a rise of 34.6% in comparison with final yr), the 400 tickets for younger individuals, the poster presentation gala… And on December 30 I’ll know if it has been worthwhile or not.
“Business profit is necessary, but it is not the most important thing in this case. I give more value to other concepts”
P. From November 22, the day of his appointment as a Sevillian businessman, Morante grew to become his predominant drawback.
R. It was essential to have Morante this primary yr. If he did not come, we needed to entrust ourselves to God.
P. And you started a pilgrimage via Portugal and La Puebla del Río to attempt to persuade him. What have been your weapons of seduction?
R. We speak rather a lot about bullfighting, the historical past, the vocation, about Paula. I had lunch and low many occasions with him and his agent. At no time did I squeeze him. If you see it nicely, high quality, I instructed him, and if not, do not do it. For me, a very powerful factor was the individual.
P. Wasn’t there a clean examine on the desk?
R. We do not speak about cash.
P. In different phrases, they agreed that it will be 4 afternoons within the subscription…
R. …with out speaking about cash. Once his reappearance was introduced, we agreed on emoluments typical of a prime determine.
P. Once the primary unknown has been resolved, the cost is similar to that of different years.
R. I do not suppose it’s like that. I remind you of some new names that weren’t there final yr: Víctor Hernández, Aarón Palacio, Fabio Jiménez, Rafa Serna, José Garrido, Molina; another celebration in San Miguel, the Corpus bullfight… The greatest ranches have all the time come to the bulls. For my style it’s not the identical.
“I agreed with Morante that I would spend four afternoons in the subscription without talking about money”
P. There have been essential bullfighters who’ve been disregarded.
R. They all haven’t any place. We have designed what we take into account the most effective supply for the truthful, however we might be unsuitable. To style, the colours.
P. By the best way, you had introduced that “the presentation of the bulls would go up one point,” and Sunday’s bullfight was poorly offered.
R. That is a really private impression. I believe the bullfight seemed extraordinary and really even. But the bull is opinionated, I perceive.
P. What do you consider the triumphalism that took over the sq. and the ears that have been awarded?
R. I believe we witnessed a novel spectacle because of the presence of King Juan Carlos, because of the quantity of people that got here from exterior… Everything else will be certified. Morante was immeasurable; David took a big gamble, as did Roca Rey. The public requested the ears, and Morante’s second one is the ability of the president. There is not any motive for concern.
P. The April Fair will likely be televised by Canal Sur – seven celebrations – and Onetoro TV – eight. How a lot does each pay for the printed of the celebrations?
R. You must see how journalists like to speak about cash, and I do not. I do not speak about that subject, I see it in a low mild. I’m not speaking about personal contracts.
P. Yes, he’ll speak about excellence, which, as he has commented, is his present aspiration.
R. The excellence for Seville is that La Maestranza is extra of a bullfighting temple, that the general public sees that they’re arriving at an 18th century monument the place an individual dangers their life, and that they know easy methods to admire that feat. The excellence to which I aspire, moreover, is to coach the general public, arrange actions in faculties and universities, open days within the plaza, just like the one scheduled for Friday the tenth, not too long ago we have been within the Seville jail speaking about bulls with the inmates…
P. In different phrases, you’re a joyful individual and businessman, even when you do not know if you will generate profits.
R. I’m. Exhausted, however joyful. Keep in thoughts that, as of in the present day, seven afternoons of no tickets can already be counted. And I repeat that, on this journey, cash is just not a very powerful factor for me.
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