Tauromaquia

31 May 2012

There is still (at least) one controversial topic that I haven't yet written about in my blog--bullfighting.

It's been a prevalent topic in the news in the last week because a famous bullfighter, Julio Aparicio, rectnly retired from bullfighting. Two years ago, he was gored by a bull during a bullfight. Apparently, Aparicio slipped, and as he fell, the bull's horn pierced his throat. The bullfighter was rushed to the hospital, and doctors did their best to save him. The reconstruction surgery went well, and Aparicio was able to fight again. In fact, he fought again just 10 weeks after the accident.

Two days ago, after a bad fight, Aparicio asked one of his fellow toreros to cut his ponytail/braid in order to mark the end of his career as a torero.

Particularly in recent years, tauromaquia (the art of bullfighting) has become more and more controversial in Spain. This sometimes surprises people because when they think of Spain they stereotypically think of flamenco and bullfighting. But contrary to what outsiders might believe, the average Spaniard isn't a fan of bullfighting. 


I've talked to a number of Spaniards about the topic. The general consensus I've heard is pretty neutral. They appreciate the historical value that the tradition of bullfighting has in Spain. They can also see the beauty and art in the way that toreros fight. However, they also recognize that it is a cruel and violent sport in which the bull basically doesn't have a chance.  

Historically-speaking, bullfighting has always been more popular in the south than in the north of Spain. This is evidenced by the fact that bullfighting was actually outlawed in the community of Catalonia a few years ago. While I was in Barcelona in December, I saw that the bullfighting ring in the center of the city has since been turned into a shopping center.