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Spain celebrates one of its cruellest fiestas
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By h.b. - Nov 17, 2008 - 8:09 AM
The Toro Júbilo fiesta is defended by most of the residents of Medinaceli, in Soria.
One of the cruellest fiestas held in Spain took place on Saturday in Medinaceli, Soria – the Toro Júbilo.
The fiesta consists of tying down a bull and then covering the animal with a mixture of mud and water. A board is tied to the horns of the beast and to that two torches of fire are attached. The bull is then tormented by the crowd until the fire goes out.
This year’s victim was called ‘El Guapo’, and was a three year old Bull weighing 412 kilos.
The local Mayor defended the continuation of the fiesta saying it dated from the times of the Iberians. It had been banned between the Franco years of 1962 and 1977 after some British reporters drew attention to its cruelty.
Many ecologist groups have attacked the fiesta and the PACMA group against the ill-treatment of animals was at the fiesta on Saturday to make their protest. Another group El Refugio said it was clear on Saturday how ‘El Guapo’ was transfixed by panic.
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Readers' comments:
Spain celebrates one of its cruellest fiestas
larger | smaller
By h.b. - Nov 17, 2008 - 8:09 AM
The scene in the Plaza Mayor of Medinaceli, Soria on Saturday night - Photo EFE
One of the cruellest fiestas held in Spain took place on Saturday in Medinaceli, Soria – the Toro Júbilo.
The fiesta consists of tying down a bull and then covering the animal with a mixture of mud and water. A board is tied to the horns of the beast and to that two torches of fire are attached. The bull is then tormented by the crowd until the fire goes out.
This year’s victim was called ‘El Guapo’, and was a three year old Bull weighing 412 kilos.
The local Mayor defended the continuation of the fiesta saying it dated from the times of the Iberians. It had been banned between the Franco years of 1962 and 1977 after some British reporters drew attention to its cruelty.
Many ecologist groups have attacked the fiesta and the PACMA group against the ill-treatment of animals was at the fiesta on Saturday to make their protest. Another group El Refugio said it was clear on Saturday how ‘El Guapo’ was transfixed by panic.
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Readers' comments:
j squirrell
17 Nov 2008, 13:45
17 Nov 2008, 13:45
disgusting, this is 2008, archaic cruelty has no place in modern spain. the
animal laws obviously mean nothing, like most laws here they only apply to
some and not others, no wonder many english are going back to the uk.
J Davis
17 Nov 2008, 14:15
17 Nov 2008, 14:15
You should hang your head in shame, or maybe subject those involved to the
treatment metered out to the bull.
Rudy Puister
17 Nov 2008, 18:45
17 Nov 2008, 18:45
This shows again that some in this country are still with their legs in
medieval times. It is ridiculous a mayor of a Country that calls itself
´modern´ is allowing such kind of animal cruelty.
It is time these horrible events (as we all know this is not the only animal torture event in Spain) should be pointed at in big before they happen so more people can protest against these events.
Honest, I believe the majority in Spain feels bad about these cruel events but as usual it is a small group of sadist people that still see a change to perform these because nobody dares to stop them. The major `hides´ behind the argument of ´tradition´. Like if human torture was a tradition it would make it therefore OK?
Rudy
It is time these horrible events (as we all know this is not the only animal torture event in Spain) should be pointed at in big before they happen so more people can protest against these events.
Honest, I believe the majority in Spain feels bad about these cruel events but as usual it is a small group of sadist people that still see a change to perform these because nobody dares to stop them. The major `hides´ behind the argument of ´tradition´. Like if human torture was a tradition it would make it therefore OK?
Rudy
hugh
18 Nov 2008, 08:39
18 Nov 2008, 08:39
A lot of these "traditions" are fairly recent. Amazing it was RESTARTED in
1977.
Brutality to animals leads to violence in the community- it's a proven link. What do the citizens of that town think their children are going to learn from this?
Brutality to animals leads to violence in the community- it's a proven link. What do the citizens of that town think their children are going to learn from this?
Jane Rees
19 Nov 2008, 15:29
19 Nov 2008, 15:29
This is unbelievably horrifying, but not as bad as the festival in which a
bull gets speared adn chased around for hours! Why is this allowed in a
country that's a member of the European Union? I suggest all those
concerned with cruelty (and yes there is a proven link between cruelty to
animals and that of humans if we need a reason!) should protest to their
Spanish Embassy, M.P and MEP. I also think we should all contact our local
large supermarkets urging a ban on Spanish products! I'm certainly not
going to buy anything Spanish from now on.
Sir Walter
02 Dec 2008, 01:19
02 Dec 2008, 01:19
I believe that there is nothing wrong with maintaining a tradition like
this. It is good for the children to know that their parents will never
abandon their past no matter what some damn Europeans think. Get that damn
bull and cover the thing with whatever you want!
TONY G.
20 Dec 2008, 23:24
20 Dec 2008, 23:24
THE PEOPLE DOING THIS CRUELTY ON THE ANIMALS THEY'D BE IN JAIL.WHAT CAIN OF
BARBARIANS ARE THEY? I THOUGHT THAT SPAIN CITIZENS WHERE WELL EDUCATED BUT
AFTER THIS ARTICLE I WILL NOT VISIT SPAIN FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS; WHY?
BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE NIGHTMARES.
AND THIS ATROCITY'D BE ELIMINATED A.S.A.P.
TONY G.
AND THIS ATROCITY'D BE ELIMINATED A.S.A.P.
TONY G.
Marc
15 Jan 2009, 19:25
15 Jan 2009, 19:25
Millions and millions of animals are tortured month in month out and
finally find peace when slaughtered. This is called the BIO industry.
It seems nobody here eats beef! You're a bunch of hypocrites.
I too feel sorry for the bull but protecting a few that die or suffer in Spain because of 'tradition' is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING - NOTHING -NOTHING compared to the meat industry.
Let's all boycot Spain and let's boycot the UK for the 50 million people who prefer to close their eyes for real suffering.
It seems nobody here eats beef! You're a bunch of hypocrites.
I too feel sorry for the bull but protecting a few that die or suffer in Spain because of 'tradition' is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING - NOTHING -NOTHING compared to the meat industry.
Let's all boycot Spain and let's boycot the UK for the 50 million people who prefer to close their eyes for real suffering.
Please keep to the subject. Opinions published here are of our visitors, not the Typically Spanish team. Comments which go against Spanish laws or which are libellous are not allowed. We reserve the right to delete any comment we wish.
Por favor, céntrate en el tema. Son las opiniones de los internautas, y no las de Typically Spanish. No está permitido verter comentarios contrarios a las leyes españolas o injuriantes. Reservado el derecho a eliminar los comentarios que consideremos fuera de tema.
Por favor, céntrate en el tema. Son las opiniones de los internautas, y no las de Typically Spanish. No está permitido verter comentarios contrarios a las leyes españolas o injuriantes. Reservado el derecho a eliminar los comentarios que consideremos fuera de tema.
