FROM  PRESIDENT'S PALCO: !ENHORABUENA MARIO CARRION!  
by Gil Arruda. (Published in LA BUSCA,  2nd Quarter, 2005)

The Taurine Bibliophiles of America congratulates Mario Carrión on being the recipient of the prestigious O. P. Houston Award presented by the National Association of Taurine Clubs at this year’s Convention in Jerez.  This is also the 50th anniversary of Mario’s alternativa.

I recall 1985, when Mario attended a Tertulia I held here in R.I., that there was some confusion at the Holiday Inn in Attleboro, Massachusetts where I was Executive Chef, and where Mario was staying.  The head housekeeper had informed me that there were ‘bloody capes’ on the bed, and also a sword.  It was a topic of conversation for a few days among the employees.   That was our first meeting and since then we have met several more times, including the Tertulia at El Excelentisimo Fred Hochberg’s home in Virginia, and at Don and Pattie Conover’s lovely home in Bucks County, PA.  At these gatherings, one soon heard the gentle tone of his conversations that told of his past, and his thoughts about toreo, and provided an explanation of his demonstrations during afternoons of toreo de salón.  We came to appreciate the finer points of his art and his life as a Matador de Toros.

These last few years since his retirement from academia have proved vital for a world-wide audience because he has rewarded us with his unique style in reporting and writing on the Ferias, the matadors, the bulls, the books, the current affairs in all of South America, Mexico, Spain and France—much of this through his essays on ‘Mi Mundo del Toreo.’  One such as I especially recall was his long and passionate explosive article which heralded the Portuguese bloodless bullfights in California.  He has tireless energy in maintaining his website (which to the delight of TBA includes delivering critical reviews of recent taurine books), and we feel we need to link to his website weekly to find special essays on bullfighting. His taurine life triumphed  in Sevilla, Madrid, Valencia and elsewhere, but we can also say that it has triumphed now these 50 years later in the USA, with his wonderful written contributions to the taurine world.  

I am especially proud that he even gave me the alternativa in Virginia at one of the tertulias after an afternoon of toreo de salón, with Rene Arneodau as testigo.  The photo shows me in a chef hat complete with carving knife and fork bedded in a folded apron in the hands of Mario Carrión. Unfortunately that afternoon saw Gilito drop a french knife through his right foot and thus I had my “cornada” and was rushed out on shoulders with Mario by my side.   Silly, I know.  But I just think of how much Mario has brought to the US aficionados, and how much he has done to deserve the O.P. Houston Award. It is with great pride and honor for me as TBA President to congratulate him for all he has done to help us better enjoy and understand our passion.

 We stand and salute you Mario,“Enhorabuena  Matador!”