Has died Rafael de PaulaThe Gypsy bullfighter from Jerez, at 85 years old. This website doesn't delve into the intricacies of bullfighting, so this isn't an article dedicated to it. But I do want to recall some anecdotes that I keep deep in my memory, in the room of experiences where Rafael Soto Moreno He was the main protagonist. The bullfighter who painted dreamlike landscapes with his cape was born in 1940 on Cantarería Street, and his upbringing among the Roma people marked him for life in his passes, turns, artistic vision, and bohemian spirit. His spontaneous and unpredictable style always caused a stir; no one knew what would happen when Rafael de Paula was in the ring or simply speaking publicly. He died last Sunday in Jerez, and expressions of admiration from prominent figures in the bullfighting world have poured in. flamenco They have been numerous. Since The Macanita, who sang that song when she was four years old He waves his hat, just like a sovereign, dressed in green and gold, more bullfighter and more gypsy… a Vicente Soto Deafness, Jesús Méndez, Fernando Soto, Pepe de Joaquina, another great interpreter of lyrics dedicated to the teacher, or politicians at the national level, and of course bullfighting fans and bullfighters.
In the following lines, as I usually do in #FromWithin, our weekly section, I would like to remind you two moments There were specific instances where Rafael dazzled simply with his presence, his defiant gaze, and his singular quick wit. Nothing that happened in his presence was a matter of chance; rather, the "things of things" unfolded because art took precedence over the tangible. For as long as I can remember, The gypsies of Jerez have professed true admiration and passion for the bullfighterElegance, pellizcoThe magic, the silence… “Just seeing him walk into the ring was worth it,” they always say. They would take buses to Madrid, organize trips to follow his eagerly awaited afternoons, where you never knew if he would leave through the main gate or be booed. But “when he walked into the ring…”, either with two passes with the muleta, or a half-veronica with his somber cape.
"He also climbed onto the stage later, as best he could, and uttered—into the microphone I was holding for him, almost trembling—that 'Leonardo said that art is above men.' And that's all, because after that there's little more to add, and it doesn't matter if Leonardo said it or not, Raphael said it."
The first time I was able to get closer to him, with a little more awareness of what his presence meant, happened in mid-December 2008, in a Domecq winery building where the Peña The Reedbeds It held its annual Christmas Proclamation, an event in which the Gold Badge was awarded to an artist, not necessarily from the world of bullfighting. That year it was dedicated to... Manuela CarrascoA much-loved flamenco dancer in Jerez since her early days, where she had many admirers. She came like the diva she is, and there was a very special audience there because the members of Los Juncales were, in many cases, artists themselves, such as Moraíto, La Chati and Rafael Agarrado, Chicharito, Rafa Junquera, Curro and Pepe de Joaquina…It was Rafael de Paula who was invited to present her with the award. For a moment, during the interviews, I noticed Rafael a bit distracted, saying things like, “I had never seen Manuela dance before,” followed, to the audience's dismay, by “but since I saw her, she's the one I like.” Then Manuela said the same: “I had never seen Rafael bullfight, but since I saw him, I've been captivated by his style.” Everything ended wonderfully, with Jesús Méndez singing “Los Campanilleros” accompanied by a fine group of singers from Jerez. Jerez was so much more Jerez back then.
The most recent one, not counting the time she attended the Lope de Vega in Seville during the Biennial that night of the "mano a mano" between Jesús Méndez and Antonio Reyes, happened in the Estévez Winery, in the second house of the Peña Uncle Jose de Paula where the handover ceremony was held Gold Badge to Manuel MoraoIn October 2021, I had the honor of introducing him alongside Pepe Marín, who asked me to join him in this endeavor. He gave a brief biography of Manuel Morao, the audience watched us as we spoke, and it fell to me to finish, before introducing the board of directors and the honoree. But what some had predicted came to pass: “Rafael de Paula is coming.”
The truth is, we waited a while, but we had to start so lunch wouldn't get late. Just before we gave way to Joaquin the ZamboAs president of the organization, I saw the back door open, and Rafael entered in his wheelchair. No one saw him before me, simply because the audience had their backs to me, and I wanted to romanticize the moment by talking about art until I reached… “Art is Rafael, who is here with us,” pointing to him. Everyone’s reaction was tremendous, especially Manuel Morao’s, who hugged him, even with tears in his eyes, as did so many others. The essence of the Gypsy spirit of a neighborhood and an era was being realized. Of a concept. He also climbed onto the stage later, as best he could, and uttered (into the microphone I was holding for him, almost trembling) that…Leonardo said that art is above menAnd that's all, because after this there's little more to add and it doesn't matter if Leonardo said it or not, Rafael said it.
