Accusations have been made toward Spain’s leftist governing body, claiming they are weaponising bullfighting for political ends following their decision to discontinue a nationally recognised award focused on the activity. Ernest Urtasun, the minister of culture, confirmed that the National Bullfighting Prize would be abolished, including this year’s competition. His ministry is also working towards ensuring it won’t recur in the subsequent years.
Urtasun opined that any individual assuming an activity inducing animal torture, such as bullfighting, deserves public funding may execute it in 2024 in Spain. However, he stressed that the culture ministry has chosen to act in alignment with modern society’s preferences by discontinuing rewarding such activities. The inaugural award was presented in 2013, with the winner collecting €30,000, an amount equal to prizes for fiction and theatre, and €10,000 more than the National Poetry Prize. Julián “El Juli” López, an experienced matador, emerged as the winner last year. Advocates of bullfighting perceive it as a cultural endeavour.
According to the culture ministry, their conclusion relies on governmental data highlighting that less than 2% of Spanish citizens attended a bullfight between 2021 and 2022, compared to attendance rates in 2019. Despite a comeback from COVID-induced disruptions, the frequency of bullfights in Spain fell from 3,651 in 2007 to 1,546 in 2022.
Urtasun is affiliated with Sumar, a partner to Pedro Sánchez’s socialist government, which has historically shown disapproval of bullfighting. Unsurprisingly, this resolution has sparked criticism, predominantly from politically-right factions, who generally favour the tradition. José Luis Martínez-Almeida, Madrid’s conservative mayor, brandished his city’s reputation as a fiercely proud bullfighting capital, vowing to protect it from “sectarianism”.
The move was depicted as an “assault on freedom of speech” by Vicente Barrera, the vice president of the Valencia region for the far-right Vox party, and himself an ex-bullfighter, arguing for the state’s obligation to celebrate and safeguard cultural diversity in Spain.
Star matador Francisco Rivera has criticised the government for exploiting bullfighting as a divisive combat tactic. He called out those who protect bullfighting, for depreciating the animal pain involved, and highlighting its artistry while underlining its significance as a quintessential Spanish custom — a statement also echoed by philosopher Javier Sábada. Rivera conceded that the bullfighting industry, as a whole, has failed to illustrate its advantages effectively, citing environmental benefits as an example.
Bullfighting has been phased out in some Spanish regions including the Canary Islands where it was outlawed in 1991, and Catalonia, where it has yet to resume after a temporary ban. Speculations about government support for bullfighting arose when former culture minister, Miquel Iceta, from the socialist party, was seen attending a bullfight beside King Felipe at the San Isidro festival at Las Ventas bullring in Madrid last year. However, no supporting measures were implemented and bullfighting continues to be a matter of heated debate between the two political sides.
Several right-leaning local administrations have been known to extend substantial financial aid to bull breeders, matador schools, and for hosting bullfights. Philosopher Javier Sábada addressed the ongoing dispute, pointing out that bullfighting proponents trivialise animal suffering while extolling its artistic aspect and its inherently Spanish tradition. He wrapped up with: “Outdated nationalism only delivers inexpensive excitement.”