THE NATC 2007 CONGRESS WILL BE HELD IN TLAXCALA, MEXICO, IN OCTOBER by Mario Carrión. September 2007

 

TThe National Association of Taurine Clubs of America---NATC--- is an umbrella organization that includes most of the American bullfighting clubs. Since 1963, the NATC has held an annual congress in different cities of the United States, Mexico, France and Spain. The goals of the annual convention are to deal with business matters related to the organization; to offer members and guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in multiple taurine events; and to promote the connection and rapport among its members, as well as between them and the aficionados and taurinos from the place where the convention is taking place.

The NATC 2007 Congress will be held in Tlaxcala, Mexico, with a prelude and epilogue in Mexico City, from October 26 to November 5, and will be hosted by Los Aficionados de los Angeles, a bullfighting club from that city in California. It is customary that each year one club among the NATC member clubs takes the responsibility of organizing the congress.

 

The NATC had previously held its convention in Tlaxcala, a town that has a strong taurine tradition, in 1985 and 2001. This colonial and historic city is the capital of the state of the same name, and is situated about 100 miles from Mexico City. It is the cradle of several famous matadors, and has a significant number of aficionados, and a small but very picturesque bullring. Moreover, about forty brave bull-breeding ranches are located in the countryside near the city. Also, during the time of the convention the town celebrates the well-known and popular "Feria de Todos los Santos”, a week-long celebration during which many events are programmed, such as cultural exhibitions and contests, rodeos and concerts, but the biggest attractions are the corridas and other taurine events.

 

For almost one year Jimee Petrich, President of Los Aficionados de los Angeles, Hugh Hosch, Registrar for the Convention, and some members of the club, have been very busy organizing the program for the congress. From the brochure “Tlaxcala 2007” announcing the 45^th Anniversary Congress sent by Los Aficionados de los Angeles we highlight the most important features of the program:

 

• First night in Mexico City in the Hotel Diplomatico with welcome reception
• Ground transportation between Mexico City and Tlaxcala
• Eight nights in Tlaxcala at the beautiful Hotel Posada San Francisco
• Halloween Costume Party
• Welcome and Farewell Parties
• Fun and colorful Day of the Dead festivites
• Bull breeding ranch visits and tientas in Tlaxcala
• Corridas during Tlaxcala’s "Feria de Todos los Santos”
• Encierros style Pamplona (Pamplonadas) throughout downtown Tlaxcala
• Last night in Mexico City including the attendance at a corrida of the Temporada Grande

 

The price for the convention, which covers the hotel and the participation in the programmed activities is $1,800 per person, double occupancy. For farther information contact Hugh Hosch, Convention Registrar at hfh85@aol.com,

 Anyone who has attended any of the conventions of the National Association of Taurine Clubs of America, can testify that these well organized congresses offer American aficionados a unique occasion to immerse themselves in multiple bullfighting events, which usually are not within the reach of regular aficionados traveling independently. The 2007 NATC Congress at Tlaxcala will not be an exception, since it promises to be another convention that will leave lasting memories in the minds of the participants.

 

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