Bullfighting in Spain: Cruelty Or Art?
Spain is synonymous with passionate flamenco, amazing beaches, high mountain peaks, Antoni Gaudi, cosmopolitan cities and traditional villages, but most of all it is renowned for its bullfighting. Attracting millions of visitors every year, bullfighting for some is popular and charismatic; for others it is barbaric and cruel. This controversial art is becoming less patronized by the younger Spanish generation and international visitors because of the controversy surrounding it; but is that right?
Should Spaniards let something which is symbolic of their country disappear? The Catalan Parliament passed a law which will effectively ban bullfighting completely in 2012; the preparation for this can already be seen in Barcelona, a city that throughout history has always had three bullrings – now there is only one.
The matador, in his colorful, rich costume is perceived almost as a God by bullfighting enthusiasts as he courageously kills the bull at the end of an adrenaline filled, noble show. However, the reality is that at the beginning of the show the bull is attacked by picadors with lances to pierce its neck muscles; in the second stage bandilleros on horseback sink sharp, colorful spikes into the bull so that at the end, the matador kills an injured, bleeding, weak and terrified animal. So for those opposed to animal cruelty the matador is a coward and not a hero.
The bullfighting arena in Barcelona, known as Placa dels Braus, hosts shows every week on Sunday evenings from Easter through to late September. Six bulls enter the arena and the matadors start to showcase their talents, staying as close to the fierce bull as possible to demonstrate their courage.
The bull never wins and after the matador has killed it, the meat is sold. It is a sign of great recognition if the matador succeeds in getting the two ears of the bull but if he gets the tail, there is no greater reward. Participating in a dangerous and sometimes terrifying activity, all matadors have accidents in their careers. Even Jose Tomas, the most famous of matadors, was one step away from death in April 2010, in a show held in Mexico.
On 28th July 2010 the Catalan Parliament raised enough signatures to ban bullfighting. Some Spaniards doubt that this is a good decision, because it will mean the death of one of Spain’s oldest, famous and most popular traditions. Some Catalan cities are fighting to keep it alive based on local law which protects the right to hold bullfights, so 2012 may not be the year when the tradition will die forever, but how long will it manage to survive?