Curro Vázquez receives the 2025 National Bullfighting Award at the Senate

The former Plenary Hall of the Senate served as the venue for the presentation of the 2025 National Bullfighting Award to Curro Vázquez, in a ceremony rich in symbolism and strong institutional support for the world of bullfighting.

The award, endowed with €30,000, has been promoted by ten regional governments together with the Fundación Toro de Lidia, following the cancellation of the prize in 2024. This joint initiative highlights the commitment of various institutions to the defence and promotion of bullfighting.

The ceremony began with the reading of the jury’s decision by Victorino Martín, who emphasised that the award goes beyond professional merit. In his words, recognising Curro Vázquez represents not only a career, but also a way of understanding both bullfighting and life.

One of the most notable moments of the event came with the speech by matador Pablo Aguado, who praised the Sevillian’s figure, highlighting his influence both inside and outside the ring. For Aguado, Curro Vázquez is an ethical and artistic reference, a figure respected across the entire bullfighting world.

After receiving the award from Victorino Martín and the President of the Senate, Pedro Rollán, Curro Vázquez addressed the audience, visibly moved. In his speech, he expressed gratitude for the institutional support and shared a reflection aimed at younger generations, stressing the importance of keeping bullfighting dialogue alive as an essential part of culture.

The award recognises a solid career and a life devoted to the bull, reinforced by a recent milestone that brought his name back into the spotlight: his performance on 12 October 2025 at Las Ventas, already considered one of the standout moments of the season.

The ceremony gathered numerous figures from across the bullfighting world, including matadors, breeders, promoters and fans, reflecting the unity of the sector around a widely respected figure.

In closing, Pedro Rollán highlighted the consensus achieved among institutions to reinstate the award, underlining the role of bullfighting as a cultural expression deeply rooted across different regions. He also described Curro Vázquez as an unquestionable reference, both in the arena and in life.

The presentation of the 2025 National Bullfighting Award thus confirms recognition of an exemplary career and reinforces the continued relevance of a tradition that remains supported by society and institutions alike.