Bullfighting Ban

A symbol of a deeply engrained tradition or a display of barbarism?

For decades the arguments for and against bullfighting have aroused strong passions and fierce debates. Fans speak of bullfighting, known here as La Cordai, as a ritual, an ancient ceremony where man and beast engage in a fight to the death – which the bull usually loses.

There are also a growing number of people in Spain who see it as an outdated relic of the past. Those against bullfighting have seen their efforts rewarded in the region of Catalonia. Last year, the regional parliament voted to outlaw the practice on the grounds of cruelty.

“In the 19^th century there were public executions where people went to see other people being killed. That was then, but in the 21^st century there’s simply no place for it. It’s primitive.”

These final bullfights here in Barcelona have drawn a large crowd of fans. Many of them coming from allover Spain to witness, what they say, is perhaps the most typical of Spanish traditions. The fans say that a decision to ban bullfighting has less to do with the issue of animal rights and more to do with promoting the local political agenda.

Through Catalonia’s local government, animal rights groups have been able to push through legislation that could signal the end of bullfighting in the region.

Their success has ignited a national debate about the practice. Critics say it just political opportunism.

“Bullfighting is as much a tradition in Catalonia as it is in the rest of Spain. In this region we have some of the oldest bullrings in the country. The problem is that people are being misinformed.”

For now, the ban on bullfighting is set to go ahead in Catalonia next January. But what is certain is that the debate will continue to rage; not just on the streets of Barcelona, but all throughout Spain.

Vocabulary & Expression Expansion:

1.         symbol of a deeply engrained tradition:

engrained: (of beliefs) so firmly held that they are not likely to change

tradition: a way of behaving or a belief that has been established for a long time

2.         a display of barbarism

display: demonstration of an emotion, skill, or quality

barbarism: absence of culture and civilization / extreme cruelty or great violence

3.         have aroused strong passions and fierce debates:

arouse: to cause (severe or extremely strong)

passions: a strong feeling or belief in something

fierce: severe or extremely strong

debate: a discussion where people have different and often opposite views

4. fans speak of bullfighting as

speak of ... as: to talk about something in a certain way

5. an outdated relic of the past:

outdated: no longer useful or modern

relic: an object from the past, esp. one that has no modern use

6. on the grounds of cruelty:

on the grounds of: the reason for a rule or decision (because of)

cruelty: causing pain or suffering to others

7. is no place for it:

no place for: when something is not allowed or acceptable at a certain time or place

8: primitive: very basic or undeveloped

9. most typical of Spanish traditions:

typical: what is expected or associated with something, person or place

10. promoting the local political agenda:

promote: to actively encourage or support something

political agenda: a particular plan of action connected to politics.

11. signal the end of bullfighting:

signal the end: to indicate that something is over

12. ignited a national debate about the practice:

ignite: to start or cause something

practice: the customary, or expected procedure or way of doing of something:

13. Critics say it just political opportunism.

critic: someone who says that they do not approve of someone or something

political opportunism: behavior in which someone uses every situation to try to get power or an advantage:

14. bullfighting is set to go ahead

set to: to be ready

15. the debate will continue to rage:

rage: continue with great violence or intensity