The Bull often has an important role and position amongst the Gods, sometimes as a bull itself and sometimes as a symbol of a deity. It often implies power, untameable strength. In Greek mythology, for instance, it symbolised unbridled outbursts of violence (the Minotaur). It is also tied to Poseidon, God of oceans and storms; indeed, it was the latter that Minos pleaded with to receive the finest bull of all, born from the oceans. It is also related to Dionysus, fecund virility, fertility, creative power, and therefore to the earth, rain, to the storms. Furthermore, it has ties to the moon, evident from the crescent shape of its horns. A lunar animal in harmony with the night.
In the Rig Veda (one of the sacred canonical texts of Hinduism) the Bull is associated with the ferocious god Rudra, bringer of fertilising rains. He holds jurisdiction over the wind, storms, and hunting. He is a celestial bull, king of the gods, whose etymology defines him as lord and wind (breath/wind, the wind of spring and the return of fertility), or as the atmosphere between sky and earth.
He is also the second facet of shiva; god of death and storms. However he is also attributed to Mithra, solar deity symbolising the dead and resurrected god. In ancient Egypt, the bull (Apis) wore a sun-disk between his horns, both a symbol of fertility and a funeral deity.
He is also associated with the sun, representing cosmic ardour, the heat that animates all living things. He is also a warrior, a symbol of the combative male, power of blood…
He often has a primordial role. He is one of the pillars of the world.
“Compagnie Korbo” offers a spectacular and epic bull procession.
The God “Toro”, wandering a maze of streets, accompanied by his tribe, invites you to his fiery wedding : fusion of beast and city which, despite the meander of its labyrinth-like alleys, will eventually give in, and open its heart like a young bride saying “yes,” in front of the altar. “Toro” offers himself up to the Gods of the city; in the manner of the Trojan horse of the Iliad and the Odyssey…
You are all invited to this symbolic marriage, which the nomadic tribe of the Toro god will take great pleasure in animating meticulously. An entire cohort of chefs, fire breathers, gypsy dancers against a backdrop of flamenco, acrobats, illusionists, street fighters, vestals, gauchos, herdsmen, cowboys, matadors on stilts, will parade at the heart of this procession, and will offer an oneiric world, as captivating as it is poetic, in which the four elements will come to play: Earth, Fire, Air, and Water.
This procession will be divided into four tableaus, each representing one of the four elements, thus creating four different musical atmospheres, and enabling the audience to travel around the Mediterranean, and further. We will thereby pay tribute to this magnificent animal, and offer another vision of our relationship with it… A traveling caboose, transporting provisions, drinks and other surprises, towed by chefs armed to the teeth with ladles, pots and pans, victuals, will be released into the street and will offer food and drink to some spectators, in order to celebrate this fiery wedding (rice toss, sugared almonds, confetti, smoke bombs and pyrotechnics). Here’s to the bride! Here’s to the city! Long live TORO!
