The End of Bullfighting?

The Spanish region of Catalonia is outlawing bull-fighting. Hurray! About time too. Barcelona is witnessing its last bull-fighting season though the change has not gone down too well elsewhere in Spain.

Whilst many Spanish feel that the Catalans are just petulantly expressing their essential separateness from the rest of Spain, the majority of Catalans are very much in favour of this cultural shift. One of the main bull-rings in Barcelona has been turned into a shopping plaza and the crowds at the remaining bull-fights have been poor. The days when animals can be treated with such cruelty are gradually coming to an end in Spain.

Despite not wanting to celebrate suffering in dumb animals, it was always reassuring to know that, every so often, the bull would get his man. This bull certainly made an impression on this matador - you could say he took it on the chin (well, more like through his chin and out of his mouth). Served him right!