{"id":12202,"date":"2024-06-03T23:00:46","date_gmt":"2024-06-03T21:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/svjmedia.nl\/internationaljournalism\/?p=12202"},"modified":"2024-06-19T11:57:22","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T09:57:22","slug":"culture-or-torture-bullfighting-in-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/svjmedia.nl\/internationaljournalism\/12202\/culture-or-torture-bullfighting-in-spain\/","title":{"rendered":"Culture or torture – bullfighting in Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bullfighting and Spanish culture are closely connected, since 2013 it’s even declared a cultural heritage. Despite this, there are a lot of citizens that view bullfights as cruel and unethical since the bulls used for fighting endure pain and get killed in the arena. On the other hand, the breeders claim that bulls live a great life and that what happens in the arena is an act of honour.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cWhat is more important? Four years living in a paradise or twenty minutes in a ring? says Fransisca Bocanegra, guide at the bullfarm Reservatauro.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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It\u2019s a warm and sunny day in the Spanish city Ronda, located about fifty kilometres inland from the coast. To get to Ronda from the sea you will have to travel through the rocky mountains on narrow roads that offer an eye-catching view of the landscape.<\/p>\n

Ronda is famous for its bridge that splits the city in half while also offering a breathtaking view since the town is located 750 metres over sea level. But the city is also known for being home to the oldest bullfighting ring in Spain, also said to be one of the most beautiful bullrings in the county. Every September since 1954, the annual bullfight Goyesca has been hosted here, and the first bullfight in this arena took place as early as in 1785.<\/p>\n[aesop_gallery id=”12219″ revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]\n

On the streets surrounding the \u201cPlaza de Toros de Ronda\u201d a lot of tourists have gathered. When the arena is not used for bullfighting, it’s open for visitors to come and learn about the heritage of bullfighting and there is a museum inside to learn about the rich history of bullfighting that exists in Ronda.<\/p>\n

As you walk through the arena you feel the soft sand under your feet, when you look up from the middle of it you see the blue sky. The fence separating the audience from the bull and the matador is decorated with bows and paintings of bulls. One visitor poses as a matador holding a cape for the camera in the middle of the arena. There are usually no bulls here since this arena is only used for bullfighting in August.<\/p>\n[aesop_gallery id=”12223″ revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]\n

A big effort to breed the bulls<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To see actual bulls in Ronda you will have to travel about five kilometres from the city, where the farm Reservatauro is located, home and workplace of the bullfighter Rafael Tejada. On his farm they breed fighting bulls. Visitors are able to visit the farm and see the animals in their natural habitat.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bull has always been a symbol of strength, intelligence, and power. He will never give up, he will always fight for his life, and this is something only the bull has. Bulls are a symbol in our culture, I think it’s a part of our history. I think it’s the only way that these races can survive for the future generations.\u201d says Fransisca Bocanegra, who’s doing her eighth season as a guide on the farm.<\/p>\n

In a wagon connected to a truck the farm offers visitors a tour through the farmscape. About fifteen people have taken place on the carriage, a young boy hugs a plushie in the shape of a black bull while looking with big eyes at the animals in the herd.<\/p>\n

Rafael Tejada is an unusual bullfighter since he does not come from a family practising bullfighting as most of the others choosing this career do. In 2008 he sold his construction business to practise bullfighting and breed bulls instead. At 34 years old he had his first professional bullfight and he\u2019s still active as a matador.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Rafael Tejada gives them the most beautiful life an animal can have. He’s got a lot of respect for the bulls. Respect and honour is very important in the world of bullfights\u201d, Fransisca Bocanegra says.<\/p>\n

In the enclosed pasture a bull with big horns looks at the load of tourists, kicking its hooves in the sand, flies swarming around it. The Spanish heat seems to be a hassle for both humans and animals.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you see the blonde one? It\u2019s beautiful, but look at its horns, they are too close together, that is not very desirable if you would want to sell him into a first class bullfight\u201d, Fransisca Bocanegra says. When breeding bulls for the arena, both personality and looks are important. These bulls bred for fighting are known for having a higher temperament and therefore also the will to combat the matadors.<\/p>\n

Fransisca Bocanegra talks about the cows during the tour of Reservatauro.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n