If you go to Spain, you would know how essential bullfighting is to the country. July 28, however, bullfighting was banned in the Spanish province. The bullfighting ban could have to begin by year 2010 in Spain. Animal rights activists were joyous when they found out that the Catalonian parliament in Barcelona decided to pass the ban. But individuals close to the story said the bullfighting ban wasn’t about animal cruelty. Many feel it was more about politics in the Catalan nation since it is trying to be different than the rest of Spain.
Catalonia bullfighting ban about politics
The Catalonia bullfighting ban isn’t really about the bulls; it is about politics. NPR reports that Catalonia has only one bullring and about 15 bullfights a year. Those against bullfighting said it was very cruel when those for it said Spanish Culture was at stake. Catalonians want to be independent from Spain by breaking from Spanish tradition. Barcelona is when all this started when bulls seem unharmed by the activity. About 1,000 bullfights take place in Spain yearly.
Madrid and Catalonia separated through bullfighting
Spanish conservatives and fans of bullfighting were upset with the Catalonia bullfighting ban. The Associated Press reports that the center-right Popular Party, which vigorously supports a unified Spain run from Madrid, sees a stinging anti-Spanish rebuke in the grass roots, anti-bullfighting drive which started within the region last year. Catalonia is a wealthy and powerful province with its own language (Catalan) and culture, also as a strong penchant for self-rule. It wouldn’t be at all surprising if this was completely political considering Catalonia always tries to be different from the rest of the country.
Bullfighting ban is rebellion for rebellion’s sake
The Catalonia bullfighting ban indeed has nothing to do with sympathy for the bulls bleeding to death in the bullring, as outlined by Spanish travel blogger Damian Corrigan. Writing for About.com, Corrigan said Catalonia’s self-indulgent struggle for independence is illogical and irrelevant in today’s Europe. The political separatist movement blurs causes like anti-bullfighting to the point where Catalonians appear to stand for nothing else but less taxes going to Madrid. Rebellion is unimportant when your political stance doesn’t matter either.
Further reading
NPR
npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/07/28/128817532/bullfighting-banned-in-spanish-province
Associated Press
google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hoSaaIUwsevwg2RB34sY8mHh7tNAD9H82A704
About.com
gospain.about.com/b/2010/07/28/barcelona-bullfighting-ban.htm
