A symbol of a deeply engrained tradition or a display of barbarism?
For decades the arguments for and against bullfighting have aroused strong passions and fierce debates. Fans speak of bullfighting, known here as La Cordai, as a ritual, an ancient ceremony where man and beast engage in a fight to the death – which the bull usually loses.
There are also a growing number of people in Spain who see it as an outdated relic of the past. Those against bullfighting have seen their efforts rewarded in the region of Catalonia. Last year, the regional parliament voted to outlaw the practice on the grounds of cruelty.
“In the 19th century there were public executions where people went to see other people being killed. That was then, but in the 21st century there’s simply no place for it. It’s primitive.”
These final bullfights here in Barcelona have drawn a large crowd of fans. Many of them coming from allover Spain to witness, what they say, is perhaps the most typical of Spanish traditions. The fans say that a decision to ban bullfighting has less to do with the issue of animal rights and more to do with promoting the local political agenda.
Through Catalonia’s local government, animal rights groups have been able to push through legislation that could signal the end of bullfighting in the region.
Their success has ignited a national debate about the practice. Critics say it just political opportunism.
“Bullfighting is as much a tradition in Catalonia as it is in the rest of Spain. In this region we have some of the oldest bullrings in the country. The problem is that people are being misinformed.”
For now, the ban on bullfighting is set to go ahead in Catalonia next January. But what is certain is that the debate will continue to rage; not just on the streets of Barcelona, but all throughout Spain.
