The Ayuntamiento de Sevilla has been blasted online for its promotion of a bullfight this coming weekend.
The local government said in an Instagram post on Thursday: ‘We’re promoting a new brand, “Sevilla, Bullfighting City.”‘
It added: ‘Sevilla’s relationship with bullfighting goes back centuries, making it a cultural, artistic, and economic icon.
‘A unique brand that represents one of the many “Sevillas” that inhabit our city.’
The comment was made beneath a video showing a montage of recent bullfights in the historic Real Maestranza bullring, nestled in the heart of the Andalucian capital.
But the promotion was met with a flurry of negative comments from locals, who say the majority of residents are completely opposed to the bloodsport.
It comes before a huge ‘corrida’ (bullfight) is scheduled to be held at the venue this weekend.
On Sunday, September 28, as part of the San Miguel Feria, famous matadors Morante de la Puebla, Roca Rey and Javier Zulueta will fight bulls from the Nuñez del Cuvillo ranch.
‘This Sevilla does not represent anyone,’ one wrote, while another added, ‘Art is written, sung, built, painted… It never takes a life, it never sheds blood.’
Another said: ‘The majority of Sevillanos do not want this!’, while others simply cried ‘shame!’ and ‘barbaric!’.
A poll earlier this year found 78% of Spaniards are not fans of bullfighting, though less than half (48%) favour stripping it of its official cultural heritage status.
Another commenter said ‘not in my name!’, while several demanded a referendum be held on whether the sport should be banned in the city.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
