El Toro Jubilo
or 'bull on fire'
is celebrated each year in November in Medinacelli, Spain
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Many thousands of animals are tormented and killed at local fiestas held across Spain every year.
At fire bull fiestas, bulls have flaming torches attached to their horns and are goaded as they attempt to escape the flames licking above their heads.
At fire bull fiestas, bulls have flaming torches attached to their horns and are goaded as they attempt to escape the flames licking above their heads.
Every second weekend in November, in the village of Medinaceli in the Castilla y León region of northern Spain, El Toro Jubilo festival takes place.
Late in the evening, a bull is roped to a post in the town square, his entire body will be covered with clay muy, and balls of pitch (a sticky black substance made from tar or turpentine) will be stuck onto his horns and set on fire. The burning bull is also called sometimes called "Toro de Fuego" (literally "bull on fire").
The term 'Toro Jubilo' finds its roots in the term 'sacrifice' or 'Jubilee indulgence', but not in the term 'joy'. Te 'Toro Jubilo' is celebrated during the Saturday night closest to the 13th at the grand Plaza Mayor in Medinaceli. The ritual is meant to symbolize both strength and purification. Five fires, one for each of the Holy Martyrs, Patrons of Medinaceli, illuminate the interior of the tauric enclosure at Plaza Mayor.
According to Spanish anthropologists, possible origins of this sadistic fiesta might be that the bull represented the totem animal 'par excellence". His strength and stamina, his courage and his zeal in defense of their freedom were undeniable reference to ancient people.
For some anthropologists, the ritual of the Toro Jubilo was a sacred celebration of Iberian people during the Bronze Age and took place during the spring equinoxes and solstices. After the ritual, the animal was sacrificed and the meat consumed by the pagan communion to purify and strengthen their bodies. These rituals would then be the source of many festivals, such as San Juan Soria capital, or, later, the traditional and popular stew.
Yet others have seen this ritual remembrance in ancient battles when fire bulls were used to frighten and disperse the enemy (remember the victory of urethane Orisson on the Carthaginian leader Amilcar Barca).
A popular version, which attempts to legitimize and Christianize the Toro Jubilo, links this celebration with the arrival of the relics of Medinaceli the Holy Bodies. According to this legend, the remains of the martyrs, Paschasius, Probus Eutiquiano, Paulino and Arcadio, were carried by a bull carrying firebrands on their horns.
Documented for centuries in the archives of the Dukes of Medinaceli, the first record dates back as September 29, 1559, when the Duke witnessed the rite from the central balcony of Palazzo Ducale King Philip II together with his third wife Isabel de Valois, who he had just married. Two other celebrations are also documented on August 3, 1568 and May 29, 1598, when the Toro Jubilo was then celebrated several times a year to honour famous people. In the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century the celebration changed on the evening of November 13. [source]
Unshackled once the torches above his head are ablaze, the bull dashes about the square trying to avoid roaring bonfires, as spectators rush in, trying to goad him. The animal tosses his head again and again, as he turns in one direction then the next, trying desperately to escape the fire burning above his head.
As the fire burns, drops of the flammable liquid fall on to the head and body of the animal and loud firecrackers explode above the square. These fiery balls can burn for hours, and they burn the bull's horns, body and eyes and cause tremendous stress – all while spectators cheer and run around the victim. Some try to escape hours of agony by smashing into walls.
This sadistic fiesta was banned between 1962 until 1977 after some British reporters denounced the fiesta and the authorities responded by banning its celebration, but now times have changed. In 2011, Medinaceli town hall has started the application for the ‘Toro de Fuego’ fiesta to be recognized by UNESCO to obtain ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ protection for the practice which has been going on for hundreds of years.
After the Catalonia region of Spain banned bullfighting in 2011, many questioned why the burning bull festival was not outlawed as well. MSNBC interviewed Francesc Sancho from Catalonia’s dominant political party, who stated they do not believe the festival to be cruel since the bull is not killed and is given medical attention after the event. “If the horns are wide enough, they won’t get burnt,” he said.
Although Sancho ensures the bulls are not killed during or after the festival, blog sources such as Squidoo and Oddity Central claim that the bulls are later dismembered and its parts divided amongst the festival attendees. Even if the bulls are not killed and veterinary care is provided, the practice is an abusive form of sadistic entertainment. Wide horns or not, dead or alive, the bulls are physically and emotionally tormented and the festival needs to be stopped.
In 2011 - despite of national and international protests - Medinacelli celebrated its 'Toro Jubilo' again and started the application for this sadistic fiesta to be recognized by UNESCO and to obtain 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity' protection for this practice that has been going on for hundreds of years.
According to the media, some 4.000 people attended the 2011 event and Medinacelli now also wants its sadistic and hideous fiesta being declared as intangible cultural heritage by Unesco.
Animal rights organisations are furious, while the local Town Hall wants UNESCO protection.
Some 4,000 people attended this year’s ‘Toro de fuego’ of Toro Jubilo fiesta in the Soria town of Medinaceli on Saturday night.
The 430 kilo bull, Andaluz, who had been bread in Gallur, Zaragoza, had to put up with first being tied up to a post in the main square of the town, and then suffer as flames were attached to his horns with the so called ‘bolas de pez’ flares. These are made with oakum, turpentine and sulphur, and ignited and there is nothing the animal can do to avert the suffering. Mud is placed on the skin of the bull to avoid burns as the animal is released to panic in the square. The beast is taunted by the young members of the crowd until the flares have finally burnt out.
Animal rights group PACMA has described the fiesta as ‘a clear example of animal mistreatment’. Spokesperson Silvia Barquero demanded the fiesta be banned saying that the ‘fire, fright and panic caused to the bulls offered a ‘terrible spectacle’. PACMA has also criticised similar ‘correbous’ fiestas in Cataluña and Valencia.
The Toro Jubilo fiesta which took place in Medinaceli last night had been banned between 1962 until 1977 after some British reporters denounced the fiesta and the authorities responded by banning its celebration, but now times have changed.
Medinaceli Town Hall has this year started the application for the ‘Toro de Fuego’ fiesta to be recognised by UNESCO to obtain ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ protection for the practice which has been going on for hundreds of years.
Source: Typically Spanish
Animal rights organisations are furious, while the local Town Hall wants UNESCO protection.
Some 4,000 people attended this year’s ‘Toro de fuego’ of Toro Jubilo fiesta in the Soria town of Medinaceli on Saturday night.
The 430 kilo bull, Andaluz, who had been bread in Gallur, Zaragoza, had to put up with first being tied up to a post in the main square of the town, and then suffer as flames were attached to his horns with the so called ‘bolas de pez’ flares. These are made with oakum, turpentine and sulphur, and ignited and there is nothing the animal can do to avert the suffering. Mud is placed on the skin of the bull to avoid burns as the animal is released to panic in the square. The beast is taunted by the young members of the crowd until the flares have finally burnt out.
Animal rights group PACMA has described the fiesta as ‘a clear example of animal mistreatment’. Spokesperson Silvia Barquero demanded the fiesta be banned saying that the ‘fire, fright and panic caused to the bulls offered a ‘terrible spectacle’. PACMA has also criticised similar ‘correbous’ fiestas in Cataluña and Valencia.
The Toro Jubilo fiesta which took place in Medinaceli last night had been banned between 1962 until 1977 after some British reporters denounced the fiesta and the authorities responded by banning its celebration, but now times have changed.
Medinaceli Town Hall has this year started the application for the ‘Toro de Fuego’ fiesta to be recognised by UNESCO to obtain ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ protection for the practice which has been going on for hundreds of years.
Source: Typically Spanish
Take action!
Sign the petition
Please sign the petition using the widget below, or directly at change.org, that sends the following message to the Spanish Ministry of Interior:
Animal torture and burning bulls alive horrifies Civilized Nations
Ladies and Gentlemen,
animal torture and burning bulls alive horrifies Western Culture. Animal cruelty is not acceptable as entertainment or tradition in the 21st Century.
Yet the Toro Jubilo annually occurs in Medinaceli, a province of Soria, Spain. Jeering mobs torture a bull with balls of burning tar or turpentine (called "pitch") attached to his horns. A bull’s horns, body and eyes are scorched. Some try to escape hours of agony by smashing into walls.
While different cultures may not understand each other’s customs, all rational humans comprehend cruelty. Setting fire to a live animal - known as Toro de Fuego or “bull on fire” - is sadistic and hideous.
Animal cruelty is never acceptable in any civilized culture giving Spain a reputation as barbarians and hinders tourism. We see it as senseless, and makes us fearful of your people and country representing a violent and dangerous nation that derives pleasure from torture and sadism.
I will advise others to join me in a boycott of Spanish tourism and commerce until the Toro Jubilo and other blood fiestas are permanently banned.
I urge Spanish officials to enforce stronger animal cruelty laws that shield animals from all forms of abuse, including vulgar rituals and blood fiestas.
It is time for all regions of Spain to subscribe to the ethical doctrines that shape our civilized world. Heritage, entertainment, art and religion never justify outright torture.
Thank you.
[your name]
Send emails
In addition to signing the petition we highly encourage writing personalized and original letters, as they get a lot of attention from recipients. Please send a message to raise your concerns, or send the sample letter below, to the given addresses.
Contact addresses
City Hall of Medinaceli
Plaza del Ayuntamiento,1
42240 Medinaceli (Soria)
Fax + 34 975326053
President of the Diputación Prov. Soria
C/ Caballeros, 17 Soria
SORIA 42071
Tel: +34 975 211089
Fax: +34 975 101091
Email: presidencia@dipsoria.es
Turism of Soria: turismo@dipsoria.com
Turism of Castilla y Leon: sotur@jcyl.es
President de la Junta de Castilla y Leon
Junta de Castilla y León
Plaza de Castilla y León
E-47008 VALLADOLID
Tel: +34 983 41 11 00
Fax: +34 983 41 12 69
Web site : www.jcyl.es
Email : jcyl@jcyl.es
Turism of Castilla y León: sotur@jcyl.es
City Hall of Medinaceli
Excmo. Ayuntamiento de Medinaceli.
Plaza del Ayuntamiento, n 1.C.P: 42240
Medinaceli (Soria)
fax: + 34 975326053
Email: info@medinaceli.es
Diputacion Provincial de Soria
C/ Caballeros, 17 Soria
42002 Soria – ESPANA
ph: 975 10 10 00
Email: buzon@dipsoria.es
Prime Minister of Spain
Presidente del Gobierno, D. Rodriguez Zapatero
Complejo de La Moncloa
28071 Madrid, Spain
Email: jlrzapatero@presidencia.gob.es
Ministry of the Interior (the entity that governs bullfights in Spain)
Ministerio del Interior
Po de la Castellana, 5
28071 Madrid, Spain
fax: + 34 915371177
Email: estafeta@mir.es
All the above email addresses in one block:
presidencia@dipsoria.es, turismo@dipsoria.com, sotur@jcyl.es, jcyl@jcyl.es, info@medinaceli.es, buzon@dipsoria.es, jlrzapatero@presidencia.gob.es, estafeta@mir.es
Plaza del Ayuntamiento,1
42240 Medinaceli (Soria)
Fax + 34 975326053
President of the Diputación Prov. Soria
C/ Caballeros, 17 Soria
SORIA 42071
Tel: +34 975 211089
Fax: +34 975 101091
Email: presidencia@dipsoria.es
Turism of Soria: turismo@dipsoria.com
Turism of Castilla y Leon: sotur@jcyl.es
President de la Junta de Castilla y Leon
Junta de Castilla y León
Plaza de Castilla y León
E-47008 VALLADOLID
Tel: +34 983 41 11 00
Fax: +34 983 41 12 69
Web site : www.jcyl.es
Email : jcyl@jcyl.es
Turism of Castilla y León: sotur@jcyl.es
City Hall of Medinaceli
Excmo. Ayuntamiento de Medinaceli.
Plaza del Ayuntamiento, n 1.C.P: 42240
Medinaceli (Soria)
fax: + 34 975326053
Email: info@medinaceli.es
Diputacion Provincial de Soria
C/ Caballeros, 17 Soria
42002 Soria – ESPANA
ph: 975 10 10 00
Email: buzon@dipsoria.es
Prime Minister of Spain
Presidente del Gobierno, D. Rodriguez Zapatero
Complejo de La Moncloa
28071 Madrid, Spain
Email: jlrzapatero@presidencia.gob.es
Ministry of the Interior (the entity that governs bullfights in Spain)
Ministerio del Interior
Po de la Castellana, 5
28071 Madrid, Spain
fax: + 34 915371177
Email: estafeta@mir.es
All the above email addresses in one block:
presidencia@dipsoria.es, turismo@dipsoria.com, sotur@jcyl.es, jcyl@jcyl.es, info@medinaceli.es, buzon@dipsoria.es, jlrzapatero@presidencia.gob.es, estafeta@mir.es
Sample letter
La tortura de los animales es algo que horroriza en la actual sociedad occidental.
Señoras y señores,
En el siglo XXI no puede aceptarse que la crueldad de los animales sirva de entretenimiento o para conservar las tradiciones populares como por ejemplo ocurre cada año en Júbilo Toro en Medinaceli (Soria) donde los toros son torturados colocándoles bolas de alquitrán o trementina ardiendo en los cuernos, provocándoles quemaduras en los ojos y en el cuerpo, tras esta agonía algunos, enloquecidos, acaban chocando contra las paredes.
Aunque las costumbres culturales de los pueblos puedan ser difícil de entender para aquellos ajenos a las mismas, todos los seres racionales pueden entender la crueldad, y prender fuego a un animal vivo es algo sádico repugnante.
La crueldad animal nunca es aceptable en ninguna cultura civilizada. España por este motivo se está ganando una reputación “de país bárbaro” que puede afectar a una de sus más importantes fuentes de ingresos como es el Turismo. Como extranjeros, un país que permite este tipo de actos nos hace desconfiar de su gente y verlo como un país violento y peligroso que disfruta de la tortura y sadismo.
Si se sigue permitiendo y promoviendo este tipo de fiestas de sangre, en las que un indefenso animal en maltratado y humillado, aconsejaré a los demás que se unan a mi boicot hacia el Turismo y el Comercio español. Insto a las distintas Administraciones españolas que tengan competencia a que hagan cumplir las leyes que prohíben la crueldad y el abuso de animales, incluido los que se producen en las Fiestas Tradicionales.
Es el momento en que todas las regiones de España se suscriban a esta doctrina ética que forma nuestro mundo civilizado en la que patrimonio, arte, religión y entretenimiento nunca pueden justificar la muerte y la tortura.
Muchas gracias,
.......................................................................
please sign with your name, city, country
More email addresses
Soria officials
presidencia@dipsoria.es, turismo@dipsoria.com, sotur@jcyl.es, jcyl@jcyl.es, info@medinaceli.es, buzon@dipsoria.es, jlrzapatero@presidencia.gob.es, estafeta@mir.es
Spanish embassies
emb.tirana@mae.es, emb.argel@mae.es, embespad@correo.mae.es, consulspain@smartchat.net.au, embespat@mail.mae.es, mbespbe@mail.mae.es, ambespbe@mail.mae.es, emb.lapaz@maece.es, embespbr@correo.mae.es, embespbg@mail.mae.es, embespcm@mail.mae.es, egarcia@interbaun.com, embespcm@mail.mae.es, consuladoespa@tie.cl,
embespcl@correo.mae.es, embespcn@mail.mae.es, embesp@public.bta.net.cn, embespcr@correo.mae.es, embesphr@mail.mae.es, enmora@cytanet.com.cy, embespcy@mail.mae.es, embespdo@mail.mae.es, cgspalejandria@mail.mae.es, emb.paris@mae.es, ambespga@mail.mae.es, ambespht@mail.mae.es,
embesphu@mail.mae.es, emb.nuevadelhi@maec.es, emb.dublin.inf@maec.es, embespil@mail.mae.es, ambespit@correo.mae.es, embespjm@mail.mae.es, embespjm@mail.mae.es, buzon.oficial@tokio.ofcomes.mcx.es, embespkz@mail.mae.es, embesply@mail.mae.es, castadiva@mol.com.mk, ambespmr@correo.mae.es, emb.valletta@mae.es, embespmx@correo.mae.es,
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embespas@nesma.net.sa, cog.edimburgo@mae.es, embspainsg@iespana.es, embespsk@mail.mae.es, cgespginebra@mail.mae.es, cgesp.berna@mail.mae.es, cgspzurich@mail.mae.es, spainemda@net.sy, embesptr@mail.mae.es, embespuk@mail.mae.es, embespus@mail.mae.es, embespuy@correo.mae.es, embespru@mail.mae.es, embespvn@mail.mae.es, embespvn@fpt.vn, embespvn@mail.mae.es, embespde@correo.maec.es
Spanish Officials - List 1
mcarmen.riolobos@senado.es, partidopopular@pp.es, arartekoa@ararteko.net, sindic@sindic.cat, pccyl@pccyl.es, info@defensornavarra.com, valedor@valedordopobo.com, crivas@eljusticiadearagon.es, defensor@defensor-and.es, rocuradorageneral@procuradorageneral.es, defensora@defensoradelarioja.com, info@defensorclm.com, consultas_sindic@gva.es, registro@defensordelpueblo.es, dcallan@law.ualberta.ca, lreif@law.ualberta.ca, fatima.aburto@diputada.congreso.es, agirretxea@diputado.congreso.es, juan.albendea@diputado.congreso.es, palegria@diputada.congreso.es, jalique@diputado.congreso.es, alfonso.alonso@diputado.congreso.es, aalonso@diputado.congreso.es, amador.alvarez@diputado.congreso.es, cayetana.alvarez@diputada.congreso.es, eloisa@diputada.congreso.es, emilio.alvarez@diputado.congreso.es, calvarez@diputada.congreso.es, juancaparicio@diputado.congreso.es, c.aragones@diputado.congreso.es, elviro.aranda@diputado.congreso.es, miguel.arias@diputado.congreso.es, gustavo.aristegui@diputado.congreso.es, mar.arnaiz@diputada.congreso.es, alfredo.arola@diputado.congreso.es, andres.ayala@diputado.congreso.es, jlayllon@diputado.congreso.es, pedro.azpiazu@diputado.congreso.es, alejandro.ballestero@diputado.congreso.es, atima.banez@diputada.congreso.es, josemanuelbar@diputado.congreso.es, uxue.barkos@diputada.congreso.es, barrachina@diputado.congreso.es, juan.barranco@diputado.congreso.es, pilar.barreiro@diputada.congreso.es, gabinete@presidencia.gob.es, macortes@diputado.congreso.es, ignacio.cosido@diputado.congreso.es, juan.costa@diputado.congreso.es, angelinacosta@diputada.congreso.es, angelinacosta@uco.es, carloscotillas@diputado.congreso.es, jesus.cuadrado@diputado.congreso.es, alvaro.cuesta@diputado.congreso.es, antonio.cuevas@diputado.congreso.es, celso.delgado@diputado.congreso.es, manuel.diaz@diputado.congreso.es, clementina.diez@diputada.congreso.es, joseignacio.echaniz@diputado.congreso.es, reme.elias@diputada.congreso.es, gelorriaga@diputado.congreso.es, salvador.encina@diputado.congreso.es, salvadordelaencina@hotmail.com, antonio.erias@diputado.congreso.es, erias@udc.es, elena.espinosa@diputada.congreso.es, marta.estrada@diputada.congreso.es, andrea.fabra@diputada.congreso.es, efajarnes@diputado.congreso.es, mariajose.fernandez@diputada.congreso.es, mfbermejo@diputado.congreso.es, afmesa@diputado.congreso.es, juli.fernandez@diputado.congreso.es, francisco.fernandez@diputado.congreso.es, pilarfdp@diputada.congreso.es, pilarfdp@gmail.com, blanca.fernandez@diputada.congreso.es, antonferre@diputado.congreso.es, aferre@alcover.altanet.org, bertofidalgo@diputado.congreso.es, carlos.floriano@diputado.congreso.es, anafupa@diputada.congreso.es, agallego@diputado.congreso.es, pp@aj-elprat.cat, joaquingd@diputado.congreso.es, joaquin.lugo@gmail.com, sara.garciaruiz@diputada.congreso.es, teresa.garcia@diputada.congreso.es, antogarcia@diputada.congreso.es, jgarcialegaz@diputado.congreso.es, jgarcialegaz@fundacionfaes.org, garciascoll@terra.es, jabarrio@diputado.congreso.es, meritxell.batet@diputada.congreso.es, a.gtizon@diputado.congreso.es, marta.gaston@diputada.congreso.es, ignacio.gil@diputado.congreso.es, gloria.gomez@diputada.congreso.es, jagomezt@diputado.congreso.es, sixto.laroda@diputado.congreso.es, sixto.laroda@hotmail.com, angel.gonzalez@diputado.congreso.es, fagonzalez@diputado.congreso.es, gpons@diputado.congreso.es, adolfoglez@diputado.congreso.es, miguelgonzalez670@hotmail.com, mgonzalez@diputado.congreso.es, pilargonzalez@diputada.congreso.es, carlosgonzalez@diputado.congreso.es, sgvazquez@terra.es, pilargrande@diputada.congreso.es, jcgrau@diputado.congreso.es,jcgraureines@gmail.com, javiergueraf@yahoo.es, alfonso.guerra@diputado.congreso.es, carmenguerra@diputada.congreso.es, antonio.gutierrez@diputado.congreso.es, carmen.bono@diputada.congreso.es, rhernando@diputado.congreso.es, ahernando@psoe.es, rafael.herrera@diputado.congreso.es, joan.herrera@diputado.congreso.es, j.jane@convergencia.cat, ramon.jauregui@diputado.congreso.es, carmen.juanes@diputada.congreso.es, jclagares@diputado.congreso.es, ignacio.landaluce@diputado.congreso.es, maria.lara@diputada.congreso.es, felix.larrosa@diputado.congreso.es, lassalle@diputado.congreso.es, mlizarra@diputada.congreso.es, gaspar.llamazares@diputado.congreso.es, olopez@psoe.es,
lopez.chamosa@diputada.congreso.es, clr@diputado.congreso.es, plopez@diputada.congreso.es, carmelo.lopez@diputado.congreso.es, cesar.luena@diputado.congreso.es, sorganizacion@jse.org,
p.macias@convergencia.cat, pere.macias@diputado.congreso.es, jose.madero@diputado.congreso.es, eduardo.madina@diputado.congreso.es, anamadrazo@diputada.congreso.es, luis.maldonado@diputado.congreso.es,
guillermomariscal@diputado.congreso.es, jjaviermarmol@diputado.congreso.es, jmarmolpenalver@yahoo.es, carmen.maron@diputada.congreso.es, guadalupem@diputada.congreso.es, candida.martinez@diputada.congreso.es,
teofila.martinez@diputada.congreso.es, prospero@diputado.congreso.es, j.martinez@diputado.congreso.es, manuel.mas@diputado.congreso.es, manuelmasestela@telefonica.net, jmatari@diputado.congreso.es,
ana.mato@diputada.congreso.es, pmatos@diputado.congreso.es, paquimedina@diputada.congreso.es, jmembrado@diputado.congreso.es, daniel.mendez@diputado.congreso.es, lourdesmendez@diputada.congreso.es,
mamercant@diputada.congreso.es, mamercant@yahoo.es, mamer.cant@yahoo.es, jmerino@diputado.congreso.es, mario.mingo@diputado.congreso.es, cesara.molina@diputado.congreso.es, sandra.moneo@diputada.congreso.es, marivi.monteserin@diputada.congreso.es, mmontesinos@diputada.congreso.es
Spanish Officials - List II
carmen.monton@diputada.congreso.es, cristobal.montoro@diputado.congreso.es, montserrat@diputada.congreso.es, montserrat@bpmabogados.es, sixte.moral@diputado.congreso.es, sugerencias@periodistadigital.com, f.moraleda@diputado.congreso.es, hugo.moran@diputado.congreso.es, miguelangelmoratinos@hotmail.com,
juanma.moreno@diputado.congreso.es, ramon.moreno@diputado.congreso.es, diegomoreno@diputado.congreso.es, diego.moreno.castrillo@gmail.com, jmoscoso@diputado.congreso.es, jvmunoz@diputado.congreso.es, pedromg@diputado.congreso.es, miriam.munoz@diputada.congreso.es, gracia@diputada.congreso.es, lourdes.munoz@diputada.congreso.es, fm@diputado.congreso.es, anadal@diputado.congreso.es, mdolorsnadal@diputada.congreso.es, eugenio.nasarre@diputado.congreso.es, cnavarro@diputada.congreso.es, pilar.cazorla@gppnv.congreso.es, jose.oria@diputado.congreso.es, montserrat.palma@diputada.congreso.es,
jordi.pedret@diputado.congreso.es, adelapedrosa@diputada.congreso.es, joseluis.perestelo@cablapalma.es, manuel.pcastell@diputado.congreso.es, maria.perez@diputada.congreso.es, margarita.herraiz@diputada.congreso.es,
jap.tapias@diputado.congreso.es, manuel.pezzi@diputado.congreso.es, merce.pigem@diputada.congreso.es, angel.pintado@diputado.congreso.es, jesus.posada@diputado.congreso.es, gabino.puche@diputado.congreso.es,
dolores.puig@diputada.congreso.es, dolores.puig@diputada.congreso.es, sebastian.quiros@diputado.congreso.es, carmen.quintanilla@diputada.congreso.es, aramirezdelmolino@diputado.congreso.es, juanluis.rascon@diputado.congreso.es,
jaime.reinares@diputado.congreso.es, jaimereinares@ayto-oviedo.es, pacoreyes@diputado.congreso.es, jridao@diputado.congreso.es, joan.ridao@parlament.cat, inma.riera@diputada.congreso.es,
gonzalo.robles@diputado.congreso.es, gloria.rivero@diputada.congreso.es, gloria.rivero@gmail.com, gonzalo.robles@diputado.congreso.es, mdelarocha@diputado.congreso.es, carmen.maniega@diputada.congreso.es,
beatriz.rsalmones@diputada.congreso.es, rafroman@diputado.congreso.es, aurelio.romero@diputado.congreso.es, luisa.rudi@diputada.congreso.es, jruiz@tinet.org, romanruiz@diputado.congreso.es, portavoz.popular@gpp.congreso.es,
alexsaez@diputado.congreso.es, lcsahuquillo@diputado.congreso.es, lcsahuquillo@citelan.es, elena.salgado@diputada.congreso.es, maria.salom@diputada.congreso.es, carlos.salvador@diputado.congreso.es,
ccsalvador@hotmail.com, mamen.sanchez@diputada.congreso.es, celinda.sanchez@diputada.congreso.es,
aurelio.sanchez@diputado.congreso.es, aurelio.sanchez@diputado.congreso.es, desantaana@diputada.congreso.es, josep.santamaria@diputado.congreso.es, conchisanz@diputada.congreso.es, oscar.seco@diputado.congreso.es,
oscarseco@socialistasvascos.com, jose.segura@diputado.congreso.es, seller@diputada.congreso.es, juana.serna@diputada.congreso.es, jordi.sevilla@diputado.congreso.es, rsimancas@diputado.congreso.es,
maria.jose.solana@diputada.congreso.es, bernat.soria@diputado.congreso.es, federico.souviron@diputado.congreso.es, celestino.suarez@diputado.congreso.es, domingotabuyo@diputado.congreso.es, domingotabuyo@gmail.com, jtarda@diputado.congreso.es, aferna11@xtec.cat, rtarno@diputado.congreso.es, ctarruella@diputada.congreso.es, luistomas@diputado.congreso.es, baudilio.tome@diputado.congreso.es, ana.torme@diputada.congreso.es, martat@diputada.congreso.es, jandres@diputado.congreso.es, federico.trillo@diputado.congreso.es, carlos.trujillo@diputado.congreso.es, carlostrujillo78@gmail.com, matrujillo@diputada.congreso.es, mariajosesanchez@diputada.congreso.es, luis.tudanca@diputado.congreso.es, tudanca@gmail.com, ignaciouriarte@diputado.congreso.es, uriarte@pp.es, evalenciano@diputada.congreso.es, francesc.valles@diputado.congreso.es, fvano@diputado.congreso.es, antonio.vazquez@diputado.congreso.es, mariajose.vazquez@diputada.congreso.es, juan.vera@diputado.congreso.es, teresa.villagrasa@diputada.congreso.es, celia.villalobos@diputada.congreso.es, fvillar@diputado.congreso.es, julio.villarrubia@diputado.congreso.es, jordi.xucla@diputado.congreso.es, mcarmen.riolobos@senado.es, enrique.abad@senado.es, adolfo.abejon@senado.es, mjose.rodriguez@senado.es, jmaria.roig@senado.es, fjavier.rojo@senado.es, jantonio.rubio@senado.es, lentxu.rubial@senado.es,
joan.sabate@senado.es, mjesus.sainz@senado.es, rjavier.salas@senado.es, encarnacion.salmon@senado.es, luis.salvador@senado.es, pere.sampol@senado.es, miguel.sanchez@senado.es, ana.sanchez@senado.es, jpablo.sanchez@senado.es, alicia.sanchez-camacho@senado.es, luzelena.sanin@senado.es, carmen.sanjurjo@senado.es
presidencia@dipsoria.es, turismo@dipsoria.com, sotur@jcyl.es, jcyl@jcyl.es, info@medinaceli.es, buzon@dipsoria.es, jlrzapatero@presidencia.gob.es, estafeta@mir.es
Spanish embassies
emb.tirana@mae.es, emb.argel@mae.es, embespad@correo.mae.es, consulspain@smartchat.net.au, embespat@mail.mae.es, mbespbe@mail.mae.es, ambespbe@mail.mae.es, emb.lapaz@maece.es, embespbr@correo.mae.es, embespbg@mail.mae.es, embespcm@mail.mae.es, egarcia@interbaun.com, embespcm@mail.mae.es, consuladoespa@tie.cl,
embespcl@correo.mae.es, embespcn@mail.mae.es, embesp@public.bta.net.cn, embespcr@correo.mae.es, embesphr@mail.mae.es, enmora@cytanet.com.cy, embespcy@mail.mae.es, embespdo@mail.mae.es, cgspalejandria@mail.mae.es, emb.paris@mae.es, ambespga@mail.mae.es, ambespht@mail.mae.es,
embesphu@mail.mae.es, emb.nuevadelhi@maec.es, emb.dublin.inf@maec.es, embespil@mail.mae.es, ambespit@correo.mae.es, embespjm@mail.mae.es, embespjm@mail.mae.es, buzon.oficial@tokio.ofcomes.mcx.es, embespkz@mail.mae.es, embesply@mail.mae.es, castadiva@mol.com.mk, ambespmr@correo.mae.es, emb.valletta@mae.es, embespmx@correo.mae.es,
emb.rabat@mae.es, cgesprabat@mail.mae.es, cgesp.agadir@correo.mae.es, cgtetuan@mail.mae.es, embespmz@correo.mae.es, cdkarky@wlink.com.np, lees.delta@xtra.co.nz, embespno@mail.mae.es, embesppl@mail.mae.es, cgesplisboa@correo.mae.es, cgespporto@correo.mae.es, gesp.pr@correo.mae.es, emb.esp.qatar@terra.es, embespro@mail.mae.es,
embespas@nesma.net.sa, cog.edimburgo@mae.es, embspainsg@iespana.es, embespsk@mail.mae.es, cgespginebra@mail.mae.es, cgesp.berna@mail.mae.es, cgspzurich@mail.mae.es, spainemda@net.sy, embesptr@mail.mae.es, embespuk@mail.mae.es, embespus@mail.mae.es, embespuy@correo.mae.es, embespru@mail.mae.es, embespvn@mail.mae.es, embespvn@fpt.vn, embespvn@mail.mae.es, embespde@correo.maec.es
Spanish Officials - List 1
mcarmen.riolobos@senado.es, partidopopular@pp.es, arartekoa@ararteko.net, sindic@sindic.cat, pccyl@pccyl.es, info@defensornavarra.com, valedor@valedordopobo.com, crivas@eljusticiadearagon.es, defensor@defensor-and.es, rocuradorageneral@procuradorageneral.es, defensora@defensoradelarioja.com, info@defensorclm.com, consultas_sindic@gva.es, registro@defensordelpueblo.es, dcallan@law.ualberta.ca, lreif@law.ualberta.ca, fatima.aburto@diputada.congreso.es, agirretxea@diputado.congreso.es, juan.albendea@diputado.congreso.es, palegria@diputada.congreso.es, jalique@diputado.congreso.es, alfonso.alonso@diputado.congreso.es, aalonso@diputado.congreso.es, amador.alvarez@diputado.congreso.es, cayetana.alvarez@diputada.congreso.es, eloisa@diputada.congreso.es, emilio.alvarez@diputado.congreso.es, calvarez@diputada.congreso.es, juancaparicio@diputado.congreso.es, c.aragones@diputado.congreso.es, elviro.aranda@diputado.congreso.es, miguel.arias@diputado.congreso.es, gustavo.aristegui@diputado.congreso.es, mar.arnaiz@diputada.congreso.es, alfredo.arola@diputado.congreso.es, andres.ayala@diputado.congreso.es, jlayllon@diputado.congreso.es, pedro.azpiazu@diputado.congreso.es, alejandro.ballestero@diputado.congreso.es, atima.banez@diputada.congreso.es, josemanuelbar@diputado.congreso.es, uxue.barkos@diputada.congreso.es, barrachina@diputado.congreso.es, juan.barranco@diputado.congreso.es, pilar.barreiro@diputada.congreso.es, gabinete@presidencia.gob.es, macortes@diputado.congreso.es, ignacio.cosido@diputado.congreso.es, juan.costa@diputado.congreso.es, angelinacosta@diputada.congreso.es, angelinacosta@uco.es, carloscotillas@diputado.congreso.es, jesus.cuadrado@diputado.congreso.es, alvaro.cuesta@diputado.congreso.es, antonio.cuevas@diputado.congreso.es, celso.delgado@diputado.congreso.es, manuel.diaz@diputado.congreso.es, clementina.diez@diputada.congreso.es, joseignacio.echaniz@diputado.congreso.es, reme.elias@diputada.congreso.es, gelorriaga@diputado.congreso.es, salvador.encina@diputado.congreso.es, salvadordelaencina@hotmail.com, antonio.erias@diputado.congreso.es, erias@udc.es, elena.espinosa@diputada.congreso.es, marta.estrada@diputada.congreso.es, andrea.fabra@diputada.congreso.es, efajarnes@diputado.congreso.es, mariajose.fernandez@diputada.congreso.es, mfbermejo@diputado.congreso.es, afmesa@diputado.congreso.es, juli.fernandez@diputado.congreso.es, francisco.fernandez@diputado.congreso.es, pilarfdp@diputada.congreso.es, pilarfdp@gmail.com, blanca.fernandez@diputada.congreso.es, antonferre@diputado.congreso.es, aferre@alcover.altanet.org, bertofidalgo@diputado.congreso.es, carlos.floriano@diputado.congreso.es, anafupa@diputada.congreso.es, agallego@diputado.congreso.es, pp@aj-elprat.cat, joaquingd@diputado.congreso.es, joaquin.lugo@gmail.com, sara.garciaruiz@diputada.congreso.es, teresa.garcia@diputada.congreso.es, antogarcia@diputada.congreso.es, jgarcialegaz@diputado.congreso.es, jgarcialegaz@fundacionfaes.org, garciascoll@terra.es, jabarrio@diputado.congreso.es, meritxell.batet@diputada.congreso.es, a.gtizon@diputado.congreso.es, marta.gaston@diputada.congreso.es, ignacio.gil@diputado.congreso.es, gloria.gomez@diputada.congreso.es, jagomezt@diputado.congreso.es, sixto.laroda@diputado.congreso.es, sixto.laroda@hotmail.com, angel.gonzalez@diputado.congreso.es, fagonzalez@diputado.congreso.es, gpons@diputado.congreso.es, adolfoglez@diputado.congreso.es, miguelgonzalez670@hotmail.com, mgonzalez@diputado.congreso.es, pilargonzalez@diputada.congreso.es, carlosgonzalez@diputado.congreso.es, sgvazquez@terra.es, pilargrande@diputada.congreso.es, jcgrau@diputado.congreso.es,jcgraureines@gmail.com, javiergueraf@yahoo.es, alfonso.guerra@diputado.congreso.es, carmenguerra@diputada.congreso.es, antonio.gutierrez@diputado.congreso.es, carmen.bono@diputada.congreso.es, rhernando@diputado.congreso.es, ahernando@psoe.es, rafael.herrera@diputado.congreso.es, joan.herrera@diputado.congreso.es, j.jane@convergencia.cat, ramon.jauregui@diputado.congreso.es, carmen.juanes@diputada.congreso.es, jclagares@diputado.congreso.es, ignacio.landaluce@diputado.congreso.es, maria.lara@diputada.congreso.es, felix.larrosa@diputado.congreso.es, lassalle@diputado.congreso.es, mlizarra@diputada.congreso.es, gaspar.llamazares@diputado.congreso.es, olopez@psoe.es,
lopez.chamosa@diputada.congreso.es, clr@diputado.congreso.es, plopez@diputada.congreso.es, carmelo.lopez@diputado.congreso.es, cesar.luena@diputado.congreso.es, sorganizacion@jse.org,
p.macias@convergencia.cat, pere.macias@diputado.congreso.es, jose.madero@diputado.congreso.es, eduardo.madina@diputado.congreso.es, anamadrazo@diputada.congreso.es, luis.maldonado@diputado.congreso.es,
guillermomariscal@diputado.congreso.es, jjaviermarmol@diputado.congreso.es, jmarmolpenalver@yahoo.es, carmen.maron@diputada.congreso.es, guadalupem@diputada.congreso.es, candida.martinez@diputada.congreso.es,
teofila.martinez@diputada.congreso.es, prospero@diputado.congreso.es, j.martinez@diputado.congreso.es, manuel.mas@diputado.congreso.es, manuelmasestela@telefonica.net, jmatari@diputado.congreso.es,
ana.mato@diputada.congreso.es, pmatos@diputado.congreso.es, paquimedina@diputada.congreso.es, jmembrado@diputado.congreso.es, daniel.mendez@diputado.congreso.es, lourdesmendez@diputada.congreso.es,
mamercant@diputada.congreso.es, mamercant@yahoo.es, mamer.cant@yahoo.es, jmerino@diputado.congreso.es, mario.mingo@diputado.congreso.es, cesara.molina@diputado.congreso.es, sandra.moneo@diputada.congreso.es, marivi.monteserin@diputada.congreso.es, mmontesinos@diputada.congreso.es
Spanish Officials - List II
carmen.monton@diputada.congreso.es, cristobal.montoro@diputado.congreso.es, montserrat@diputada.congreso.es, montserrat@bpmabogados.es, sixte.moral@diputado.congreso.es, sugerencias@periodistadigital.com, f.moraleda@diputado.congreso.es, hugo.moran@diputado.congreso.es, miguelangelmoratinos@hotmail.com,
juanma.moreno@diputado.congreso.es, ramon.moreno@diputado.congreso.es, diegomoreno@diputado.congreso.es, diego.moreno.castrillo@gmail.com, jmoscoso@diputado.congreso.es, jvmunoz@diputado.congreso.es, pedromg@diputado.congreso.es, miriam.munoz@diputada.congreso.es, gracia@diputada.congreso.es, lourdes.munoz@diputada.congreso.es, fm@diputado.congreso.es, anadal@diputado.congreso.es, mdolorsnadal@diputada.congreso.es, eugenio.nasarre@diputado.congreso.es, cnavarro@diputada.congreso.es, pilar.cazorla@gppnv.congreso.es, jose.oria@diputado.congreso.es, montserrat.palma@diputada.congreso.es,
jordi.pedret@diputado.congreso.es, adelapedrosa@diputada.congreso.es, joseluis.perestelo@cablapalma.es, manuel.pcastell@diputado.congreso.es, maria.perez@diputada.congreso.es, margarita.herraiz@diputada.congreso.es,
jap.tapias@diputado.congreso.es, manuel.pezzi@diputado.congreso.es, merce.pigem@diputada.congreso.es, angel.pintado@diputado.congreso.es, jesus.posada@diputado.congreso.es, gabino.puche@diputado.congreso.es,
dolores.puig@diputada.congreso.es, dolores.puig@diputada.congreso.es, sebastian.quiros@diputado.congreso.es, carmen.quintanilla@diputada.congreso.es, aramirezdelmolino@diputado.congreso.es, juanluis.rascon@diputado.congreso.es,
jaime.reinares@diputado.congreso.es, jaimereinares@ayto-oviedo.es, pacoreyes@diputado.congreso.es, jridao@diputado.congreso.es, joan.ridao@parlament.cat, inma.riera@diputada.congreso.es,
gonzalo.robles@diputado.congreso.es, gloria.rivero@diputada.congreso.es, gloria.rivero@gmail.com, gonzalo.robles@diputado.congreso.es, mdelarocha@diputado.congreso.es, carmen.maniega@diputada.congreso.es,
beatriz.rsalmones@diputada.congreso.es, rafroman@diputado.congreso.es, aurelio.romero@diputado.congreso.es, luisa.rudi@diputada.congreso.es, jruiz@tinet.org, romanruiz@diputado.congreso.es, portavoz.popular@gpp.congreso.es,
alexsaez@diputado.congreso.es, lcsahuquillo@diputado.congreso.es, lcsahuquillo@citelan.es, elena.salgado@diputada.congreso.es, maria.salom@diputada.congreso.es, carlos.salvador@diputado.congreso.es,
ccsalvador@hotmail.com, mamen.sanchez@diputada.congreso.es, celinda.sanchez@diputada.congreso.es,
aurelio.sanchez@diputado.congreso.es, aurelio.sanchez@diputado.congreso.es, desantaana@diputada.congreso.es, josep.santamaria@diputado.congreso.es, conchisanz@diputada.congreso.es, oscar.seco@diputado.congreso.es,
oscarseco@socialistasvascos.com, jose.segura@diputado.congreso.es, seller@diputada.congreso.es, juana.serna@diputada.congreso.es, jordi.sevilla@diputado.congreso.es, rsimancas@diputado.congreso.es,
maria.jose.solana@diputada.congreso.es, bernat.soria@diputado.congreso.es, federico.souviron@diputado.congreso.es, celestino.suarez@diputado.congreso.es, domingotabuyo@diputado.congreso.es, domingotabuyo@gmail.com, jtarda@diputado.congreso.es, aferna11@xtec.cat, rtarno@diputado.congreso.es, ctarruella@diputada.congreso.es, luistomas@diputado.congreso.es, baudilio.tome@diputado.congreso.es, ana.torme@diputada.congreso.es, martat@diputada.congreso.es, jandres@diputado.congreso.es, federico.trillo@diputado.congreso.es, carlos.trujillo@diputado.congreso.es, carlostrujillo78@gmail.com, matrujillo@diputada.congreso.es, mariajosesanchez@diputada.congreso.es, luis.tudanca@diputado.congreso.es, tudanca@gmail.com, ignaciouriarte@diputado.congreso.es, uriarte@pp.es, evalenciano@diputada.congreso.es, francesc.valles@diputado.congreso.es, fvano@diputado.congreso.es, antonio.vazquez@diputado.congreso.es, mariajose.vazquez@diputada.congreso.es, juan.vera@diputado.congreso.es, teresa.villagrasa@diputada.congreso.es, celia.villalobos@diputada.congreso.es, fvillar@diputado.congreso.es, julio.villarrubia@diputado.congreso.es, jordi.xucla@diputado.congreso.es, mcarmen.riolobos@senado.es, enrique.abad@senado.es, adolfo.abejon@senado.es, mjose.rodriguez@senado.es, jmaria.roig@senado.es, fjavier.rojo@senado.es, jantonio.rubio@senado.es, lentxu.rubial@senado.es,
joan.sabate@senado.es, mjesus.sainz@senado.es, rjavier.salas@senado.es, encarnacion.salmon@senado.es, luis.salvador@senado.es, pere.sampol@senado.es, miguel.sanchez@senado.es, ana.sanchez@senado.es, jpablo.sanchez@senado.es, alicia.sanchez-camacho@senado.es, luzelena.sanin@senado.es, carmen.sanjurjo@senado.es
Please sign the PETITION to tell UNESCO:
Bullfighting isn't Culture, it's Cruelty!
Every year, about 250,000 bulls are killed in bullfights -- stabbed multiple times with barbed lances and banderillas (spiked wooden sticks) before suffering slow, agonizing deaths in front of an audience, including children.
Now, even though bullfighting attendance is at an all-time low and bans have been enacted by several countries and cities, France and Spain are trying to protect this cruel bloodsport by getting it listed as a form of "cultural heritage".
Bullfights aren't "fair fights" between a bull and a matador. They're highly staged forms of animal cruelty, sanctioned and subsidized by governments. A UNESCO "cultural heritage" listing would give a veneer of respectability to the torture of animals for public entertainment and mean subsidies may be made available to financially safeguard the future of bullfighting.
Tell UNESCO: Bullfighting isn't culture, it's cruelty.
Now, even though bullfighting attendance is at an all-time low and bans have been enacted by several countries and cities, France and Spain are trying to protect this cruel bloodsport by getting it listed as a form of "cultural heritage".
Bullfights aren't "fair fights" between a bull and a matador. They're highly staged forms of animal cruelty, sanctioned and subsidized by governments. A UNESCO "cultural heritage" listing would give a veneer of respectability to the torture of animals for public entertainment and mean subsidies may be made available to financially safeguard the future of bullfighting.
Tell UNESCO: Bullfighting isn't culture, it's cruelty.
Send a letter to UNESCO
English version
Dª Irina Bokova
General Director UNESCO
D. Francesco Bandarin
Subdirector UNESCO
Esteemed members of the Committee for the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,
Regarding the request to include bullfights on the List of Assets of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, made by certain political and business groups interested in the continuation of bullfighting, it is requested that the following considerations be addressed:
According to ethics and human rationale, the aforementioned bullfights are not a "cultural" heritage that must be safeguarded, because, although they were deeply ingrained practices at one time in our country, at present, most of the Spanish population rejects the continuation of such "spectacles" considering them cruel, morally unacceptable traditions, more typical of savages than of civilized people. Bullfights represent the most absolute contempt for the life of an innocent animal, which is hunted, tortured, and slowly and cruelly executed before a desensitized and debased public, who are unable to see the cruel and tragic reality which is masked by deceptively cheerful, attractive and colorful “festivities”.
It is not, therefore, a "cultural" asset, since culture exalts the human, elevates him, and brings, if anything, more value to his condition, and as UNESCO itself said in its Declaration of Mexico in 1982, “(…) that it is culture that gives man the ability to reflect upon himself. It is culture that makes us specifically human rational beings, endowed with a critical judgment and a sense of moral commitment. (…)”
According to this statement, no cultural value whatsoever could be attributed to bullfighting because it does not enrich us in any sense, does not make us, as beings, more "human" and "rational" or indeed "ethically committed”. To the contrary, bullfighting degrades man, it degenerates him, it exposes the most sordid and inhumane part of a person, dismissing without compassion, this animal worthy of respect and protection.
Therefore, it would not be honestly acceptable and nobody of sound judgment would admit its inclusion as an Asset of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity because that would reduce "humanity" to such a level of irrationality, brutality and depravity that it would make our species the lowest of the universe.
For the above reasons, appealing to the common sense of humanity, which you represent, we ask you not to declare bull festivals as Assets of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, taking into account the following aspects which are referred to in the text of the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Paris 17th October 2003:
So, I ask, I turn, for the cooperation of UNESCO in raising awareness among the people of the countries which, irrationally, still allow such celebrations, with the aim of revealing the infamy, brutality and moral depravity that such "spectacles" involve, enabling them to be eradicated as soon as possible, and so forming part of our history as one of the most enduring savage, cruel and inhuman traditions that has held back Spanish culture for centuries.
Yours sincerely,
Name:
DNI (National Document of Identity Number/Passport Number):
Nationality:
Email Address: Email to: bpi@unesco.org
Telephone Number: +33 (0)1 45 68 10 00
Website: www.unesco.org/es
Dª Irina Bokova
General Director UNESCO
D. Francesco Bandarin
Subdirector UNESCO
Esteemed members of the Committee for the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,
Regarding the request to include bullfights on the List of Assets of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, made by certain political and business groups interested in the continuation of bullfighting, it is requested that the following considerations be addressed:
According to ethics and human rationale, the aforementioned bullfights are not a "cultural" heritage that must be safeguarded, because, although they were deeply ingrained practices at one time in our country, at present, most of the Spanish population rejects the continuation of such "spectacles" considering them cruel, morally unacceptable traditions, more typical of savages than of civilized people. Bullfights represent the most absolute contempt for the life of an innocent animal, which is hunted, tortured, and slowly and cruelly executed before a desensitized and debased public, who are unable to see the cruel and tragic reality which is masked by deceptively cheerful, attractive and colorful “festivities”.
It is not, therefore, a "cultural" asset, since culture exalts the human, elevates him, and brings, if anything, more value to his condition, and as UNESCO itself said in its Declaration of Mexico in 1982, “(…) that it is culture that gives man the ability to reflect upon himself. It is culture that makes us specifically human rational beings, endowed with a critical judgment and a sense of moral commitment. (…)”
According to this statement, no cultural value whatsoever could be attributed to bullfighting because it does not enrich us in any sense, does not make us, as beings, more "human" and "rational" or indeed "ethically committed”. To the contrary, bullfighting degrades man, it degenerates him, it exposes the most sordid and inhumane part of a person, dismissing without compassion, this animal worthy of respect and protection.
Therefore, it would not be honestly acceptable and nobody of sound judgment would admit its inclusion as an Asset of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity because that would reduce "humanity" to such a level of irrationality, brutality and depravity that it would make our species the lowest of the universe.
For the above reasons, appealing to the common sense of humanity, which you represent, we ask you not to declare bull festivals as Assets of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, taking into account the following aspects which are referred to in the text of the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Paris 17th October 2003:
- They are not a factor of development; on the contrary, the confrontation that has always existed between the Spanish on this issue has generated and continues to generate a huge waste of energy and human and material resources that keep us from progressing as individuals and as a country.
- They do not help to enrich cultural diversity and human creativity, since they are not creative acts; they are only destructive and depraved.
- They do not generate a sense of cultural identity among the Spanish; on the contrary, many of us feel morally corrupted and ashamed before the world for the continuation of such "spectacles".
- They are not a factor of rapprochement, exchange and understanding among human beings, since, as mentioned above, they divide us and put us in opposition.
So, I ask, I turn, for the cooperation of UNESCO in raising awareness among the people of the countries which, irrationally, still allow such celebrations, with the aim of revealing the infamy, brutality and moral depravity that such "spectacles" involve, enabling them to be eradicated as soon as possible, and so forming part of our history as one of the most enduring savage, cruel and inhuman traditions that has held back Spanish culture for centuries.
Yours sincerely,
Name:
DNI (National Document of Identity Number/Passport Number):
Nationality:
Email Address: Email to: bpi@unesco.org
Telephone Number: +33 (0)1 45 68 10 00
Website: www.unesco.org/es
---------------------------------
Spanish version
Dª Irina Bokova
Directora General de la UNESCO
D. Francesco Bandarin
Subdirector de la UNESCO
Sres. del Comité para la Salvaguardia del Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial
En relación a la solicitud de inclusión de los festejos taurinos en la Lista de Bienes Culturales Inmateriales de la Humanidad efectuada por determinados sectores políticos y grupos empresariales interesados en la continuidad de la tauromaquia, ruego atienda las siguientes consideraciones:
De acuerdo con la ética y la racionalidad humana, los aludidos festejos taurinos no son un patrimonio “cultural” que deba ser salvaguardado, ya que, aunque hayan sido unas prácticas muy arraigadas en otros tiempos en nuestro país, en la actualidad la mayor parte de la población española rechaza el mantenimiento de tales “espectáculos” por considerarlos crueles tradiciones moralmente inadmisibles, más propias de salvajes que de pueblos civilizados, pues suponen el más absoluto desprecio a la vida de un animal inocente que es acorralado, torturado lentamente y vilmente ejecutado ante un público insensibilizado y envilecido, incapaz de ver la cruel y trágica realidad enmascarada en un espectáculo ilusoriamente alegre, vistoso y colorista.
No se trata, pues, de un bien “cultural”, ya que la cultura engrandece al ser humano, lo eleva, le aporta, si cabe, más valores a su condición, y como la misma UNESCO señaló en su Declaración de Mexico 1982 “ (…) la cultura da al hombre la capacidad de reflexionar sobre sí mismo. Es ella la que hace de nosotros seres específicamente humanos, racionales, críticos y éticamente comprometidos. (…)
De acuerdo con esta declaración, a la tauromaquia no podría atribuirse valor cultural alguno, porque no nos enriquece en ningún sentido, no hace de nosotros seres más “humanos” y “racionales”, ni por supuesto “éticamente comprometidos”. Al contrario, la tauromaquia envilece al hombre, lo degenera, hace que aflore en las personas su parte más sórdida e inhumana al despreciar sin compasión a ese animal merecedor de respeto y protección.
Por ello, no sería honestamente aceptable, y nadie en su sano juicio admitiría su inclusión como Bien Cultural Inmaterial de la Humanidad, pues eso supondría rebajar la “humanidad” a tal nivel de irracionalidad, brutalidad y depravación que haría de nuestra especie la escoria del universo.
Por las razones anteriormente expuestas y apelando al sentido común de la Humanidad a la que Uds. representan, ruego no sean declarados los festejos taurinos como Bienes Culturales Inmateriales de la Humanidad, teniendo en cuenta los siguientes aspectos a los que hace referencia el texto de la Convención para la Salvaguardia del Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial, Paris 17 de octubre de 2003:
- No suponen un factor de desarrollo; al contrario, el enfrentamiento que desde siempre ha existido entre los españoles sobre esta cuestión ha generado y sigue generando un derroche enorme de energía y recursos humanos y materiales que nos impiden progresar como personas y como país.
- No contribuyen a enriquecer la diversidad cultural y la creatividad humana, puesto que no son actos creativos sino destructivos y depravados.
- No generan un sentimiento de identidad cultural entre los españoles; al contrario, somos muchos los que nos sentimos dañados moralmente y avergonzados ante el mundo por la continuidad de tales “espectáculos”.
- No son un factor de acercamiento, intercambio y entendimiento entre los seres humanos, ya que, como se ha dicho anteriormente, nos divide y enfrenta
Por ello, solicito, a su vez, colaboración de la UNESCO en la sensibilización y concienciación de la población de los países que irracionalmente todavía permiten tales festejos, con el fin de revelar a la ciudadanía la infamia, brutalidad y depravación moral que tales “espectáculos” conllevan, para poder erradicarlos cuanto antes y que pasen lo antes posible a formar parte de nuestra historia como una de las tradiciones más crueles, salvajes e inhumanas que ha arrastrado durante siglos la cultura española.
Atentamente,
Nombre:
DNI:
Nacionalidad:
Correo electrónico: bpi@unesco.org
Centralita telefónica: +33 (0)1 45 68 10 00
Sitio web: www.unesco.org/es
Torture is no culture!
Video from Toro Jubilo 2012
Pictures from the 2012 event, released by 'Daily Mail UK'
Daily Mail reports:
A terrified bull writhes and bucks as flames lick around its head moments after it is set ablaze - all for the entertainment of a baying crowd.
Shocking new images have emerged of a barbaric annual Spanish bull burning festival which animal rights campaigners are demanding be banned.
The sickening Joy of the Bull - or Toro Jubilo festival - is one of the 'cultural' highlights of the entertainment calendar for residents in the Medieval village of Medinaceli, in the province of Soria, north east of Madrid.
Every year, from around four centuries, people flock to watch a young bull be dragged into a makeshift ring in this grotesque ritual.
There, it is pinned to the floor, while men strap wooden stakes doused in flammable chemicals to its horns, and set it on fire. Then local me show their bravery by tormenting the terrified animal.
This year's festival, which took place on Saturday, was no different. More than 1,500 people crowded behind barriers and strained for a view of the cruel spectacle.
A bullring is constructed in the main square and sand scattered on the floor. Several bonfires are built in preparation for the arrival of the bull.
At 11.30pm, the fires were lit using paraffin and the three-year-old bull, named Liebro, was dragged in on a rope held by many men dressed in grey uniforms.
It was tied to a post by its horns and a plank of wood attached to a metal bar doused in pitch - a highly combustible mixture of turpentine and sulphur.
Fiercely hot sparks and embers drip from the burning torches onto the bewildered animal.
The distressed bull is then released, thrashing around the ring to the cheers of the crowds.
Members of the public are seen jumping into the ring and taunting the bull - adding to its terror and confusion.
Gasping for air, the bull finally reaches a state of exhaustion after nearly 45 minutes of torment and is soon dragged out the ring by villagers to be butchered.
The men in the grey uniforms are awarded pieces of meat from the animal for their 'bravery'.
Authorities in the Spanish regions of Leon and Castile have designated the festival a special cultural status.
But this has not stopped campaigners in Spain and Britain to call for it to be banned.
'This barbaric festival causes the animal phenomenal stress and fear,' Mark Jones, vet and UK executive director of the Humane Society International told the Express.
He added: 'The animal would be incredibly frightened by the whole process. In this day an age people shouldn't be using animals in this way for their entertainment and they shouldn't be using culture as an excuse for cruelty.'
A terrified bull writhes and bucks as flames lick around its head moments after it is set ablaze - all for the entertainment of a baying crowd.
Shocking new images have emerged of a barbaric annual Spanish bull burning festival which animal rights campaigners are demanding be banned.
The sickening Joy of the Bull - or Toro Jubilo festival - is one of the 'cultural' highlights of the entertainment calendar for residents in the Medieval village of Medinaceli, in the province of Soria, north east of Madrid.
Every year, from around four centuries, people flock to watch a young bull be dragged into a makeshift ring in this grotesque ritual.
There, it is pinned to the floor, while men strap wooden stakes doused in flammable chemicals to its horns, and set it on fire. Then local me show their bravery by tormenting the terrified animal.
This year's festival, which took place on Saturday, was no different. More than 1,500 people crowded behind barriers and strained for a view of the cruel spectacle.
A bullring is constructed in the main square and sand scattered on the floor. Several bonfires are built in preparation for the arrival of the bull.
At 11.30pm, the fires were lit using paraffin and the three-year-old bull, named Liebro, was dragged in on a rope held by many men dressed in grey uniforms.
It was tied to a post by its horns and a plank of wood attached to a metal bar doused in pitch - a highly combustible mixture of turpentine and sulphur.
Fiercely hot sparks and embers drip from the burning torches onto the bewildered animal.
The distressed bull is then released, thrashing around the ring to the cheers of the crowds.
Members of the public are seen jumping into the ring and taunting the bull - adding to its terror and confusion.
Gasping for air, the bull finally reaches a state of exhaustion after nearly 45 minutes of torment and is soon dragged out the ring by villagers to be butchered.
The men in the grey uniforms are awarded pieces of meat from the animal for their 'bravery'.
Authorities in the Spanish regions of Leon and Castile have designated the festival a special cultural status.
But this has not stopped campaigners in Spain and Britain to call for it to be banned.
'This barbaric festival causes the animal phenomenal stress and fear,' Mark Jones, vet and UK executive director of the Humane Society International told the Express.
He added: 'The animal would be incredibly frightened by the whole process. In this day an age people shouldn't be using animals in this way for their entertainment and they shouldn't be using culture as an excuse for cruelty.'
