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Bullfighting Ends Today in Barcelona

Catalonia ban comes after years of decline for blood-filled tradition

By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 25, 2011 6:46 AM CDT

(Newser) – Today's bullfights at the 97-year-old Plaza de Toros Monumental arena in Barcelona will be the last ever for the venerable—and brutal—sport in Catalonia province, reports the BBC. The province voted to end bullfighting last year, the first ban on the corrida de toros in mainland Spain (it's been banned on the Canary Islands since 1991). "This is such a beautiful arena, with a lot of tradition both for bullfighters and this national celebration," said one matador.

Although attendance for bullfighting has been poor for many years, tickets to the last matches at the 20,000-seat Monumental sold out quickly, and have been selling for five times their original value on black markets. The ban came partly from Catalonians' desire to distinguish themselves from the rest of Spain and partly because of declining interest, but animal rights groups say they hope to extend their campaign to the rest of the country.

A general view of the 'La Monumental' bullfighting arena in Barcelona, on September 23, 2011. September 25th 2011 will mark the end of bullfighting in the Catalan region as the combat has been officially banned for good in the region. AFP PHOTO / JOSEP LAGO
A general view of the 'La Monumental' bullfighting arena in Barcelona, on September 23, 2011. September 25th 2011 will mark the end of bullfighting in the Catalan region as the combat has been officially...   (Getty Images)
View of the main entrance of the Plaza Monumental bullring in Barcelona taken on September 23, 2011. Man and bull will dance with death in a Catalan arena for the last time in history this evening.
View of the main entrance of the Plaza Monumental bullring in Barcelona taken on September 23, 2011. Man and bull will dance with death in a Catalan arena for the last time in history this evening.   (Getty Images)
Spanish bullfighter Jose Tomas making a pass during a bullfight at the Monumental Bullring in Barcelona in April 2008.
Spanish bullfighter Jose Tomas making a pass during a bullfight at the Monumental Bullring in Barcelona in April 2008.   (AP Photo / Manu Fernandez, file)
A woman holds a banner as she protests against bullfighting outside Barcelona's bullring in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday.
A woman holds a banner as she protests against bullfighting outside Barcelona's bullring in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
People shout slogans in favour of bullfighting, outside Barcelona's bullring in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday.
People shout slogans in favour of bullfighting, outside Barcelona's bullring in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A general view of the Monumental Bullring almost empty during the first bullfight in Barcelona after the bullfight ban in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010.
A general view of the Monumental Bullring almost empty during the first bullfight in Barcelona after the bullfight ban in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010.   (AP Photo/David Ramos)
Spanish bullfighter Miguel Tendero performs with a bull during the first bullfight in Barcelona after the bullfight ban at the Monumental bullring in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010.
Spanish bullfighter Miguel Tendero performs with a bull during the first bullfight in Barcelona after the bullfight ban at the Monumental bullring in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010.   (AP Photo/David Ramos)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
Nommy
Jan 1, 2012 11:40 PM CST
Thank you Barcelona! Cruelty to animals must stop.
hopeandchange
Sep 26, 2011 2:51 AM CDT
Maybe soon the USA will ban boxing. 
Winston_Smith
Sep 25, 2011 10:25 AM CDT
This seems to be about regional identity more than anything else.  In Spain the Catalonians ban bullfighting to put some distance between themselves and Madrid; in France the Catalonians promote bullfighting to put distance between themselves and Paris.  

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