The Controversy of Bullfighting in Barcelona

Most people associate Spain with paella, Picasso and pretty flamenco dancers, but the one thing that everybody associates with Spain is

bullfighting. I was one of them until I decided to live here, and discovered that this view of the country was a very narrow one.

However, is spite of that, each of these aspects of Spain are nevertheless very important aspects of its culture or cuisine.

The bullfighting in particular is typically Spanish, and if you want to experience a bullfight while you are visiting Barcelona you should do

so soon, because it is rapidly dying out and shortly to be banned. From 2012 bullfighting will no longer be permitted in Greater

Catalonia, including Barcelona, by order of the local parliament.

So head for the famous Plaza de Toros Monumental Barcelona while you are here, because it may be your final chance to see bullfighting in

Spain. Over the last few years this tradition, which has been an important aspect of Spanish culture for centuries, has rapidly been

dying and bullfights in Spain have dropped by a third in recent years. The main reason for this has been due to local government cuts

affecting the funding that the activity relies upon.

La Monumental, as it is referred to in Barcelona, now holds only a dozen bullfights a year, and is now the only arena left in this part of Spain. Although bullfighting is an inherent part of the Spanish way of life, animal rights activists have campaigned hard to have it banned

throughout Spain, and groups such as Equanimal have been very successful in their activities.

Although the recently-announced ban in Catalonia is believed by many to be a manifestation of the deep-rooted aspiration of Catalans to

become independent from Spain, emanating largely from the way they were treated during the days of Franco, it is nevertheless perceived by Spaniards all over the country as a barbaric and cruel activity. Some believe that bullfighting is regarded as being typically Spanish, so by

banning it the Catalans are seen as being different.

My own sympathies lie with the activists, and I personally have never visited a bullfight, even though I live close to La Monumental. Others

disagree, regarding it as a Spanish tradition that should be maintained. This passion is exemplified by the toreros, who pass their

skill down from father to son, and they enjoy celebrity status in the same way as Premiership footballers in the UK or NFL quarterbacks in

the USA. They are hunted down by both the paparazzi and beautiful women, and their bravery is undeniable. The clothes they wear in

battle with the bulls are designed to show off their manhood and every muscle in their body. Any ordinary man would run a mile when

presented with such a suit.

Bullfighting started in La Monumental, in 1914 when its doors were first opened. Its name then was Plaza de El Sport, although that quickly

changed and by 1916 was known by its current name. The architecture is a combination of Byzantine and Moor, and is prominent

for its great beauty amongst the more severe office buildings and apartments on the corner of Gran Via and Marin. You can't miss its bright blue and white tiles and is a very imposing stadium, holding

19,852 people.

La Monumental has always ranked highly among the bullrings of Spain, and was regarded as one of the top three in the whole of Spain, along with Las Ventas in Madrid and Seville's La Maestranza. When it was built it added to the existing two stadia in Barcelona, La Plaza de El

Torin that no longer exists, and La Plaza de las Arenas in Plaza España that is being converted to a shopping mall. This indicates a

deeply ingrained love for bullfighting in Barcelona, even though it has now been banned.

Many of the aficionados visit La Monumental to see the 'corridas', as bullfights are known in Spain, simply due to the high reputation the

arena has all round the world. The season lasts from April to September approximately, and when not being used for corridas, it is a venue for music concerts, rock gigs and circuses. Among its famous events were a Beatles concert in 1965 (July 3rd), a Rolling Stones gig

in 1976 and other concerts involving Bob Marley, Tina Turner and many others.

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