Bullfighting: Barbaric or Art?
The matador flourishes his cape, the bull charges, the crowd cheers: this is the image of Spain best known to the world. Bullfighting is seen as a symbol of Spanish culture. Contemporary bullfighting is probably the most artful and sophisticated way certain cultures celebrate the bravery of the hunter.
As far as I am concerned, I always had the desire to see such performance as a dream of slices of music, clothing and other cultural aspects associated to the phenomenon. There are few places in the world where the spectacle of bullfighting can be seen yet. Mexico is one of the last countries where the bullfighting is allowed, so in 2014 when I was in Mexico City I took a ticket and went to the first… and last (I can say that, at this point) such show.
The fight was over. Tourists’ cameras flashed. The carcass was hooked up to a pack of four horses and dragged out of the stadium to be butchered and sold as a delicacy in the hotels. Vendors continued to sell their sodas and beer; the band played a cheery musical interlude; red-shirted workers swept away the blood and smoothed over the sand.
Eventually, it’s Spanish tradition or animal cruelty? I think it’s both. Each bullfight continues an important tradition: the ritual of the bullfight, the specific language, the music – all are part of the tradition. I am definitely glad I went and experienced a symbol of Spanish tradition; however I’ll never go again. I will be completely honest – the bullfight is cruel and gruesome. Do not be confused, the bulls always die. What’s so fun about watching a defenseless creature being brutalized?
Bullfighting: Barbaric or Art?
The matador flourishes his cape, the bull charges, the crowd cheers: this is the image of Spain best known to the world. Bullfighting is seen as a symbol of Spanish culture. Contemporary bullfighting is probably the most artful and sophisticated way certain cultures celebrate the bravery of the hunter.
As far as I am concerned, I always had the desire to see such performance as a dream of slices of music, clothing and other cultural aspects associated to the phenomenon. There are few places in the world where the spectacle of bullfighting can be seen yet. Mexico is one of the last countries where the bullfighting is allowed, so in 2014 when I was in Mexico City I took a ticket and went to the first… and last (I can say that, at this point) such show.
The fight was over. Tourists’ cameras flashed. The carcass was hooked up to a pack of four horses and dragged out of the stadium to be butchered and sold as a delicacy in the hotels. Vendors continued to sell their sodas and beer; the band played a cheery musical interlude; red-shirted workers swept away the blood and smoothed over the sand.
Eventually, it’s Spanish tradition or animal cruelty? I think it’s both. Each bullfight continues an important tradition: the ritual of the bullfight, the specific language, the music – all are part of the tradition. I am definitely glad I went and experienced a symbol of Spanish tradition; however I’ll never go again. I will be completely honest – the bullfight is cruel and gruesome. Do not be confused, the bulls always die. What’s so fun about watching a defenseless creature being brutalized?
