The old Provincial Prison of Málaga celebrated the feast of the Virgin of Merced in 1986 with a release of calves, performances by comedians and flamenco for around 300 inmates.
The old Provincial Prison of Málaga, located in the Cruz de Humilladero neighbourhood, hosted a series of events in September 1986 to commemorate the feast of the Virgin of Merced, patron saint of Penitentiary Institutions. Among the activities organized for the inmates, the one that generated the most excitement was the release of calves in the courtyards for minors and adults, as reported by Diario Sur in its archives.
The bullfighter Antonio José Galán, raised in Fuengirola and who passed away in 2001 in a traffic accident, participated in the exhibition. Galán had been detained for four days in the prison that same summer due to an altercation in the La Malagueta square, where he was accused of assaulting and insulting law enforcement officers. The bullfighter voluntarily returned to the centre to perform several passes with the calves in front of those who had been his cellmates.
“Out of love and affection for some people I met here and to contribute to their enjoyment,” the matador declared at the time.
Galán arrived with two calves and released them in the courtyard to perform; afterwards, the inmates were also able to play with the animals. The bullfighter gifted the two cattle to the centre, which were later slaughtered and used for the prison menu.
The following day, the prison welcomed comedians Josele and Paco Gandía, along with singer Manolo Tabares, as part of the Merced festivities. About 300 inmates enjoyed Josele's jokes and the “true stories” told by Paco Gandía in the courtyard. The flamenco group Los Sorongos and the group Los Ghachis, made up of four inmates who rehearsed for a month and a half to perform for their peers, also took the stage. They performed two songs, one dedicated to the prisoners and another to the prison director.
The building, which closed in 2009, has since hosted filming for series and movies; this September, a Disney series inspired by the video game 'Far Cry' is being filmed there.
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