Olé – Valencia rally in support of Bullfighting

THOUSANDS of people took to the streets of Valencia to protest in favour of bullfighting, to show their support for the tradition amid local authority bans and cuts in some parts of the country.  

Big names from the world of bullfighting such as Enrique Ponce, Jose Antonio Morante Camacho and Julian Lopez “El Juli” Escobar also attended the rally on Sunday 13. 

Many banners were seen held high stating that bullfighting is a cultural expression in Spain. 

“The bullfighting world is aware of the problem and maltreatment we are suffering at the hands of a part of the political class,” said Morante de la Puebla.

“We are here to say, this is our life, it’s a tradition,” he continued. 

Ponce insisted that ‘toreros’ should be treated with the same respect as those in other artistic activities. He continued that bullfighting has been an important part of Spanish culture for centuries even if some people refuse to accept this. 

Some cities have recently seen cuts in subsidies to bullfighting, including Valencia and Madrid, which is not only the capital of the country but of bullfighting as well. 

The region of Catalan including Barcelona has already banned bullfighting in the region starting some six years ago after a left-wing government was voted in. Barcelona banned the tradition in 2011. 

Elsewhere in the city about 20 half-dressed protestors covered in red paint took to the streets in a low-key event overshadowed by the opposing rally.