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Catalonia bids farewell to bullfighting tradition
Source: Agencies |
September 26, 2011, Monday
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SPAIN'S powerful northeastern region of Catalonia yesterday bid farewell to the country's emblematic tradition of bullfighting with a final bash at the Barcelona bullring.
The sold-out evening event at the 20,000-seat Monumental ring was the last fight scheduled this season. A regional ban on the bloody pastime takes effect on January 1, 2012.
Bullfighting's popularity in Catalonia has plunged in recent decades and the Monumental is its last functioning ring. The Catalan Parliament banned the spectacle in July 2010 following a signature-collection campaign by animal rights activists.
But critics say the ban is less about animal welfare and more a snub to Spain by independence-minded Catalans.
Hours before the fight, a small group of anti-bullfight activists gathered outside the arena, celebrating with sparkling wine.
"Obviously a lot of political parties have tried to politicize this, but we mustn't forget that this popular proposal sprouted from a pure pro-animal rights standpoint aimed at eradicating animal cruelty," campaigner Soraya Gaston said.
"It looks like this may be the last day (of bullfights in Catalonia). But the last word hasn't been said yet," said fan Eduardo Edurna. "I think we will have bullfighting back in Catalonia."
The prohibition triggered a nationwide debate over the centuries-old spectacle that inspired such artists and writers as Goya, Picasso and Hemingway.
"Banning bullfighting in Catalonia is nothing more than an attack on liberty," said Carlos Nunez, president of Spain's Mesa del Toro pro-bullfighting umbrella group. "It's the fruit of policies in Catalonia against bullfighting and all that is seen to represent Spain."
Although mostly symbolic - the Monumental staged only some 15 fights a year - the prohibition sent bullfighting supporters looking for ways to overturn the decision or make sure it doesn't spread.
Spain's leading conservative opposition Popular Party - tipped to win general elections in November - has appealed the ban before the Constitutional Court, while its Catalan branch is battling for a delay in the implementation of the ban.
Meanwhile, Mesa del Toro is seeking 500,000 signatures in the hope it can persuade parliament to give bullfighting cultural heritage status.
The sold-out evening event at the 20,000-seat Monumental ring was the last fight scheduled this season. A regional ban on the bloody pastime takes effect on January 1, 2012.
Bullfighting's popularity in Catalonia has plunged in recent decades and the Monumental is its last functioning ring. The Catalan Parliament banned the spectacle in July 2010 following a signature-collection campaign by animal rights activists.
But critics say the ban is less about animal welfare and more a snub to Spain by independence-minded Catalans.
Hours before the fight, a small group of anti-bullfight activists gathered outside the arena, celebrating with sparkling wine.
"Obviously a lot of political parties have tried to politicize this, but we mustn't forget that this popular proposal sprouted from a pure pro-animal rights standpoint aimed at eradicating animal cruelty," campaigner Soraya Gaston said.
"It looks like this may be the last day (of bullfights in Catalonia). But the last word hasn't been said yet," said fan Eduardo Edurna. "I think we will have bullfighting back in Catalonia."
The prohibition triggered a nationwide debate over the centuries-old spectacle that inspired such artists and writers as Goya, Picasso and Hemingway.
"Banning bullfighting in Catalonia is nothing more than an attack on liberty," said Carlos Nunez, president of Spain's Mesa del Toro pro-bullfighting umbrella group. "It's the fruit of policies in Catalonia against bullfighting and all that is seen to represent Spain."
Although mostly symbolic - the Monumental staged only some 15 fights a year - the prohibition sent bullfighting supporters looking for ways to overturn the decision or make sure it doesn't spread.
Spain's leading conservative opposition Popular Party - tipped to win general elections in November - has appealed the ban before the Constitutional Court, while its Catalan branch is battling for a delay in the implementation of the ban.
Meanwhile, Mesa del Toro is seeking 500,000 signatures in the hope it can persuade parliament to give bullfighting cultural heritage status.
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