Bullfighting's deadly legacy: Cultural tradition or cruel sport?
Bullfighting is a topic that has evoked strong emotions worldwide, including in Spain, for many years, both among supporters and opponents. Recently, an enraged bull broke through a protective barrier and attacked a crowd that included children. Following this incident, the story of matador Iván Fandiño's death is once again being remembered online. He died after a bull gored him in the chest during a fight.
Bullfighting in Spain is one of the most controversial traditions in Europe. Although for many Spaniards the corrida is an integral part of national heritage, increasing numbers of people, both in Spain and beyond its borders, view it as a brutal relic of the past.
At the forefront of this tradition are the matadors—both brave and controversial heroes of the arena.
One of them was Iván Fandiño. In 2017, an immense tragedy occurred. While the Spaniard was trying to lure the bull, his leg became entangled in the material. The daredevil couldn't escape from the deadly trap. The furious bull gored him and injured his lung.
Hurry up, I’m dying – Iván Fandiño said after the bull attack. Those were his last words.
Despite immediate transportation to the hospital and attempts at resuscitation, doctors couldn't save Fandiño. In the ambulance, his heart stopped beating. He was 36 years old.
Fandiño’s death sparked discussions about the corrida, which, despite numerous protests from animal rights advocates, remains legal in France and Spain as part of cultural heritage. In 2012, France rejected a proposal to ban this sport. Fandiño had previously been injured in similar incidents, highlighting the dangers associated with this spectacle.
A tragedy could have happened again recently. During the Toro del Aleluya festival in Arcos de la Frontera in Spain, a bull broke through a barrier and attacked a crowd of spectators, including children.
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As a result of the attack, more than 20 people were injured. Many were crushed against barriers as the crowd tried to escape. Three people, including a 60-year-old woman, required medical assistance due to injuries sustained in the attack.
The town mayor, Miguel Rodríguez, assured that safety measures were in line with standards.
It is not normal for something like this to happen, but unexpected situations can occur in any bullring – he said.
Art or cruelty?
Supporters of the corrida consider it an art form and a spectacle that requires immense courage, precision, and expertise. For many residents of Andalusia, Madrid, or Seville, bullfights are a significant part of their local identity.
The corrida has its roots in ancient rituals and has evolved over the centuries into something more than just a fight—a ritual full of symbolism.
On the other hand, pro-animal organisations and many citizens demand a complete ban on this practice. They argue that killing animals for entertainment has no place in modern society. They emphasise that bulls suffer physically and mentally, and their death is slow and painful.
The popularity of bullfights is waning. In 2010, Catalonia became the first region in Spain to introduce a complete ban on the corrida. Changes are also visible in the other areas—some cities are reducing the number of fights, and many arenas are being transformed into cultural centres.
