subject: Bullfighting Ban in Spain [print this page] Bullfighting Ban in Spain Bullfighting Ban in Spain
Much has changed in Spain since the death of the dictator Franco in 1975 when the country began a 'democratic transition'. By 1978 the Spanish Constitution recognized multiple national communities within the Spanish state and there are 17 autonomous communities, one of which is Catalonia in the North East corner of the country.
Catalonia is the richest and most economically dynamic region of Spain, with Barcelona as its capital, and three official languages.
In July 2010 the parliament of Catalonia voted to ban bullfighting, the first region in mainland Spain to do so (it was banned by the Canary Islands in 1991), and the ban will take effect in January 2012. The vote was a result of a petition signed by 180,000 people.
Catalonia's only functioning bullring is in Barcelona and one of the oldest in Spain. However, there is more to Barcelona: it is a showcase for some of the incredible works by Antoni Gaudi, the architect.
Catalonia boasts two Mediterranean coast lines: the craggy Costa Brava, one of the most famous Spanish coasts stretching from the north of Barcelona over the province of Girona, with its beautiful historic city, and Costa Dorada, stretching from the south of Costa Brava to Tarragona, an important city of the Roman Empire. Lleida (Lerida) is also another tourist trove, located in a mountainous area with a cathedral built between the 12th and 15th centuries.
Three official languages exist in Catalonia - Catalan, Spanish and Aranese (the last one a Gascon Occitan dialect from the Aran Valley). Catalan is what is known as a "Romance" (from Roman) language. It is considered as a language on its own and not a dialect. During Franco's dictatorship Castillian (i.e., Spanish) was the only official language. Visitors to the area would have no problem communicating in Spanish, as many Catalonians are bilingual.
Supporters of bullfighting (corrida in Spanish) claim that it is an important tradition to preserve, as well as providing employment. On the opposing side, the petitioners said it was barbaric and cruel. But the vote was close. Although this is an animal rights issue, the BBC reported "many believe this process is an attempt by nationalist-minded Catalans to mark their difference from the rest of Spain by rejecting one of its best known traditions".
A single bullfight lasts about 20 minutes and the bull is stabbed many times before the fatal blow is delivered in the ring by the matador's sword between the bull's shoulder blades. Latin America is also home to bullfighting, the largest arena in the world being the Plaza Mexico in Mexico City.
It will be interesting to see if this deep-rooted tradition is gradually banned in Spain's other autonomous communities.
