Bullfighting in Spain: From cultural practice to cultural war

Bullfighting is a cultural tradition in South Europe and Latin America that has provoked strong reactions from supporters and critics since the nineteenth century. At this time, debates began about the cultural significance of bullfighting as a manifestation of ‘Spanishness’, as well as the associated stereotypes. However, opposition to bullfighting has grown significantly in the twenty-first century, with various groups opposing the practice on the grounds that it harms animals and rejecting its cultural status. Consequently, interest in the practice has declined considerably, with surveys carried out by the Ministry of Culture and Sport indicating that attendees at bullfighting events now account for less than 2 per cent of the population. Despite being entertainment for a specific demographic, bullfighting has therefore become a key cultural flashpoint in the political arena. In Spain, the far-right party VOX has increasingly used bullfighting as a political tool to defend a traditional conception of Spanish popular culture. This study sheds light on how bullfighting has gained new symbolic and cultural significance in political discourse as a cultural war. This is a distinctive instance within the Spanish context, yet it exemplifies a prevalent tendency across Europe towards the politicization of traditions in societies characterized by heightened political polarization.