The Senate recovers the National Bullfighting Prize
The Senate, with a majority of the PP, has decided to restore the so-called National Bullfighting Award, which had been eliminated by the Ministry of Culture. This decision was announced by Minister Ernest Urtasun (Sumar) on May 3. The ministry had made the decision not to announce the award for the 2024 edition and to begin the procedures for its definitive elimination. However, the Senate has decided to recover it, arguing that bullfighting is part of the intangible cultural heritage of Spain, as established by Law 18/2013.
Reactions and controversy
The decision of the Ministry of Culture to eliminate the National Bullfighting Award generated a series of contrary reactions. Especially in territories and political parties where bullfighting is promoted. Communities such as Madrid and Castilla-La Mancha announced that they will create alternative awards from their territorial powers. In addition, the PP has registered a motion in the Senate to reinstate the award and call it this year. They also propose the creation of a ‘Senate Prize for Bullfighting’ until the original prize is recovered.
The origin and financial endowment of the prize
The National Bullfighting Award was created in 2011 by the government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. A financial award of 30,000 euros was established, being one of the most outstanding awards in the cultural field. However, after its elimination by the Ministry of Culture, several autonomous communities have proposed the creation of awards to replace it, such as Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, Madrid, Aragón, Extremadura, the Valencian Country and Castilla y León.
Support and protests
Bullfighting has generated both support and protests. In the Parliament of Andalusia, an initiative promoted by the PP in defense of bullfighting was approved. In addition, a festive and protest event was held in Barcelona’s Plaza Monumental, which attracted around 200 people. On the other hand, animal activists called by PACMA and Animal Save Barcelona demonstrated at the door of the Monumental to protest against this festival.
