http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20100820-bullfighting-in-catalonia-to-ban-or-not-to-ban
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| Bullfighting will no longer be seen in Catalonia after January 1, 2012. |
I have always been a fan of Spain in terms of its culture and traditions. The ardor & energy of Flamenco dancers, the courage of bullfighters, stunning architecture, fantastic beaches and mouth-watering tapas have made Spain a dynamic country with diverse attractions.
When it comes to bullfighting, however, I have somewhat a different view. Affectionately known as a part of local celebrations, the event remains a highly contentious subject both in Spain and around the world. If bullfighting is an art (as described by the writer), the matador is the artist and the fight is a medium of artistic expression.
To a certain extent, bullfighting is a show. The matadors need to impress the crowd and jury with bold and graceful moves towards an aggressive, fighting bull. He has to demonstrate his skills and artistry and make the show dramatic and enjoyable for the audience. If bullfighting is a dance, it is a dance with death. I like the way the writer portrays the event as ‘an evening of blood, courage, nobility and insensate cruelty’. It produces a vivid picture of a sanguinary scene. Though not appealing to everyone, the descriptions have made clear that bullfighting is a dangerous business which involves a high level of violence and brutality. The skillful use of metaphor where the matador is described as ‘being gored and tossed about like a handkerchief by several hundred kilos of bull’ has brought the bullfighting scene to life.
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| The fighting bull is considered a symbol of Spain. |
Nevertheless, the main focus of the article is the debate on the banning of bullfighting in Catalonia. While enough data is given in the article – more than 180,000 signatures were collected by Catalonian citizens in support of the ban (which has far exceeded the parliament’s requirement of 50,000 signatures), the sincerity of the signatories is not questioned. In the article ‘Spain's Catalonia bans bullfighting’ published in the ABC News website on July 28, 2010, the view of Josep Rull, member of parliament for the Catalonian nationalist party, is given. Rull regards bullfighting as ‘the most degrading things’ in Spanish tradition and should be banned.
If the ban of this centuries-old tradition is an issue, the writer should perhaps give a more balanced view of the debate by providing the opinions from both sides of the equation. In ABC News, a renowned bullfighter, Serafin Marin, said bullfighting is not a cruel show but completely the opposite. “It's a show that creates art," he said. If the writer thinks bullfighting is an art, in what ways does it show the qualities of art? It isn’t explained in the BBC article.
Above all, the writer has fulfilled its aim by giving an overview of the bullfighting events in Spain and the subsequent debate on the ban. Relevant links are provided at the end of the article to provide readers with information on bullfighting in Barcelona and the campaigns to end bullfighting.
The video below shows a raging bull charging into the crowd in a bullfighting arena in Northern Spain, injuring 40 people on Aug 18, 2010.
Other sources:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/07/28/2967004.htm
http://www.spain-info.com/Culture/bullfighting.htm
http://www.nationalturk.com/en/bullfight-injury-as-matador-gored-through-chin-in-madrid-spain-56646415
Photo courtesy of:
http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/2064/bullfight0qd.jpg
blogger's photo collection (the fighting bull) - taken in Sevilla, Spain on July 26, 2009.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATqx3cqjbjo&feature=related
Hi Stella, I just finished read your article, good written. I see you had used the picture taken in your visit to Spain.
ReplyDeleteI think the bull is a good symbol, represents our passion and our wild, but now i'd like that the symbol of the bull had no connotations of cruelty to animals.
In fact, I don't know if people know the really origen of this symbol. it was created for promote a alcoholic drink and not the bullfight.
More information here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_bull
thank you for write about Spain with all your love since the other part of the world.
It is so hard to define especially when it has these two aspects at the same time. It reminds me of boxing...
ReplyDeleteI do agree if the writer thinks it is an art, he should explain it and prove. I think it is very important to learn how to persuade in certain news stories.
Good analysis.
Maria, Thanks! Writing this entry reminded me of my visit to Andalusia! It's interesting to know the original use of the bull symbol in advertising. I'm keen to know more about it and speak to Spanish people to get their views on bullfighting.
ReplyDeleteYvoone, Boxing is an excellent example. It has been argued whether boxing should be banned as scientific evidence shows that it endangers health. On the other hand, it is a martial art.
ReplyDeleteIn this case, is necessary to give some evidence for the claim in order to make a strong argument.