Each country has a vast and deep heritage which they can be proud of and in turn, proudly show to the world. Spain is one such country. With its magnificent architectural marvels in the Moorish, Baroque and gothic styles. Other such spectacles which have originated from Spain and consequently exported to the rest of the world, include Renowned cuisines of Tapas and Paella and the works of famous characters with the likes of Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Diego Velázquez and of course Miguel de Cervantes, to name but a few. Flamenco music and dancing, the La Tomantia festival and of course Siestas are other great examples of the culture of this great Iberian nation and it can be agreed that this culture not only belongs to Spaniards, but naturally they also have a right to enjoy every aspect of the culture, from its architecture to the afternoon naps.

However, there seems to be one particular part of Spanish culture which is so divisive and that is bullfighting.

Bullfighting in Spain traces its origins to 711 CE, with the first official bullfight, or corrida de toros, being held in honor of the coronation of King Alfonso VIII. Once part of the Roman Empire, Spain owes its bullfighting tradition in part to gladiator games. At first, bullfighting was done on horseback and was reserved solely for Spanish aristocracy but over time, has become a spectacle for the general public too.

Though primarily and stereotypically a sport in Spain, bullfighting also occurs in Spanish-speaking countries of Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela as well.

The late 18th century saw the sport at its height of popularity and captivation with Spaniards but has since then, steadily declined.

Bullfighting has become a polarizing topic of discussion in Spanish society, with both pro and anti camps voicing their views on the sport and the justifications for keeping and banning it respectively.

There are numerous anti-bullfighting organisations both domestic and foreign, with the aim to abolish bullfighting in Spain and abroad. Notable organisations include CAS International, A major international non-profit organization founded in 1993 that works to end bullfighting worldwide and cooperates closely with Spanish anti-bullfighting groups. Other groups include PACMA and AnimaNaturalis, both which alongside CAS International campaign for the complete ban of the sport and use multiple avenues in attempting this, including the use of political processes to advocate for laws and policies to ban bullfighting, as well as organizing public protests outside bullfighting rings and hosting public education initiatives to highlight the sufferings of bulls and build support to the ban the sport. According to CAS International, ‘Thanks to the political lobby we perform with local organizations, bullfighting has been banned in several places. Our biggest success was the ban on bullfighting in the Spanish region of Catalonia, where bullfighting has been abolished since January 1, 2012’. Bullfighting bans have been observed in other regions of Spain such as the Canary Islands, which banned the sport altogether back in 1991. Several states in Mexico, Peru and Venezuela also observe and uphold bands outright. Colombia passed a bill in May of last year to result in a complete ban on the practice by 2027, with a dedicated phasing out of the sport over the next two years until the bill comes into full effect. Colombian congressman, Alejandro Garcia commented on the ban, saying ‘We are prioritizing the welfare and defense of all animals’. With many organisations and campaign groups dedicated to banning the sport, along with Colombia’s upcoming proscription of bullfighting and with multiple states, provinces and communities across the Spanish-speaking world outlawing the sport, it begs the question that with this growing support for these movements and bannings, should the sport be retired to history and remembered as a grotesque and barberous one of the past rather than one that is continued and supported?

The sport of bullfighting in Spain is one which is protected under cultural heritage legislation and is backed by multiple groups who advocate for the protection and continuation of the sport due to the cultural and artistic tradition which is so heavily tied to Spanish heritage. Several groups advocating for bullfighting include the political parties of Partido Popular, or the PP and the VOX Party, both of which heavily support bullfighting and its protection as cultural heritage. Other groups openly supporting the sport naturally include bullfighting clubs, known as Penas and Taurine schools, educational institutions which teach and train students on varying aspects of the bullfighting sport. 

The sport of bullfighting in Spain and the Spanish-speaking world, continues to wrestle between the two camps of thought on the matter. Should it be banned due to the inhumanity and general cruelty inflicted on bulls, or should it be protected and continued on the principle of cultural and traditional heritage? As anti-bullfighting sentiment and movement increases in popularity and tickets at bullfighting rings decrease, the argument of moral wrong or cultural right seem to be, in part, already answered.