How many monuments to a bull do you think exist? Here in Arequipa, we have one dedicated to a very special bull named Menelik. The Toros Sculpture on Avenida Socabaya is a tribute to this legendary animal. Menelik wasn’t just any bull. He was a champion, undefeated in the bullring for five years. He was so beloved that the money raised from his fights went towards building schools, churches, and roads in Arequipa. His story began in the fields of Socabaya, born from a champion dairy cow and a runaway young bull. He later developed a unique fighting technique in Santa Rita de Siguas, hitting opponents behind the ear before goring them. This technique led him to his first championship in Sabandía in 1944, defeating the reigning champion, Smeling. Afterward, Menelik was raffled off and won by Jesús Lazo, who became his lifelong caretaker. Interestingly, Menelik was named after a circus lion with a reddish mane that visited Arequipa. His own coat was a similar color, which inspired the name. Even today, Arequipeños remember Menelik fondly. He became a symbol of the region, not just for his victories but for his contributions to the community. The Toros Sculpture stands as a reminder of this extraordinary bull and his legacy.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to