Barcelona - Legislators in Catalonia outlawed bullfighting yesterday, making it Spain's first major region to ban the centuries-old pillar of traditional culture. The ban will take effect in 2012 in the northeastern coastal region.
Posted by
OP
Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
629 posts
The bill was the result of a 180,000 signature initiative. In 2009, 106 bulls faced matadors in Catalonia compared to 1,000 in Andalucia and 800 in Madrid. The Canary islands ban the bullfight in 1991.
Posted by
Des Moines, IA
2193 posts
Looks like the bulls are winning. If you haven't seen this video yet, I'll warn you that the matador
comes out on the short end of the stick (but lives): http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?next_url=http%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DLWvutny7juk
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32450 posts
Bob,
I saw that on the news yesterday, and found it really surprising. I wonder how that will be accepted by "the locals"? It makes me wonder what prompted this ban?
Posted by
Kurikka, Finland
92 posts
This seems like a lot bigger news than it is.
The thing is, bullfights haven't been very common in Catalonia, so they aren't giving up something that's a current part of their culture. Bullfighting being banned in Andalucia, now that would be news.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
The Catalans just aren't that keen on bullfighting. The only functioning bullring in the region from what I've heard is the one in Barcelona and that had an audience of mostly foreign tourists.
I gather that it's all bound up with the local hatred for the Franco regime years ago, which was very pro-bullfighting.
Posted by
Des Moines, IA
2193 posts
It seems the ban has more to do with Catalan nationalism and maybe a progressive attitude than with concern over animal cruelty/rights (although that is a chief concern for some parties). I believe officials in Madrid have moved to label the spectacle a cultural heritage to prevent it from being banned there.
Posted by
Brangwin, Wa, USA
349 posts
6 years ago I taught English out side of Madrid and several Catalonians told me we dont like bull fights in our area of Spain. so this may not be anything new. I taught a class in South Mexico and asked about a 100 teenage students if they have been to a bull fight no hands and there is an active bull ring in Tapachjula
Posted by
St Petersburg Florida
951 posts
All the bulls scream OLAYYYYYYYYYYYYY! I know that it is part of spanish culture, but it is so cruel. I don't know who feels good about themselves after attending a fight.
Posted by
St Petersburg Florida
951 posts
Now maybe America can ban rodeos.......