Ciudad Real has paid tribute to renowned bullfighter Aníbal Ruiz with the presentation of the book Tres décadas de luces, which chronicles his extensive career in bullfighting. The event took place at the López-Villaseñor Museum, drawing a large audience on Wednesday.
The book, authored by bullfighting critic Julio César Sánchez, reflects on over 30 years of Ruiz's professional journey, marking him as one of the most beloved figures in the bullfighting scene of Ciudad Real province.
The ceremony, imbued with emotion, was part of the 38th edition of the 'Los toros en la cultura' series organised by the Ateneo Taurino Manchego, bringing together fans and local officials to celebrate a bullfighter who has left a significant mark on the community.
Among the attendees were Mayor Francisco Cañizares and the Vice President of the Provincial Council, Adrián Fernández, who joined Aníbal Ruiz in this recognition of his contributions to the sport.
During his speech, Cañizares highlighted the pride and sense of belonging that Ruiz has instilled in the local bullfighting community throughout his career. He remarked, "When one starts dressing in lights, steps into the bullring and succeeds, those who share his homeland feel that success belongs to them as well. They see it as something personal, as one of their own."
The mayor reminisced about the memorable afternoons when Ruiz delighted the audience at the Ciudad Real bullring, emphasising that his ability to compete with the top figures in bullfighting has been a source of local pride. "We felt proud to see a bullfighter from our land able to measure up against the greats in the Ciudad Real ring," he stated.
Cañizares also acknowledged Ruiz's dedication and commitment throughout his career, saying, "Aníbal was a bullfighter who gave everything and always devoted himself fully. That made us feel even prouder of him."
The mayor underscored the special bond between a bullfighter and their audience, a connection that transcends the outcomes of each performance and is built on shared emotions. "When Aníbal performed well, the joy was shared, and we all enjoyed it. And when things didn’t go as expected, when there was an injury or a difficult day, we also suffered with you. Because the bond between a bullfighter and their audience goes far beyond what happens in the ring," he expressed.
In this context, Cañizares affirmed that the affection Ciudad Real has shown to Aníbal Ruiz over the years reflects a legacy that is part of the city's and province's bullfighting memory. "The love that Ciudad Real has given you, Aníbal, you have returned to us many times over," he noted.
Finally, the mayor congratulated Ruiz on the publication of Tres décadas de luces and thanked him for his contributions to the bullfighting community in the city. "Thank you for your journey in this city, which is also yours; for everything you have given us, for all that you have made us feel, and for everything you represent for the bullfighting fans of Ciudad Real," he concluded.
The launch of this book is part of the programming by the Ateneo Taurino Manchego, which continues to promote spaces for discussion and reflection on bullfighting and its cultural, social, and emotional dimensions.
