Thousands of Spaniards rally in favor of bullfighting traditionsMarch 14, 2016 - 08:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Thousands of Spaniards have taken part in a protest rally in favor of the traditional but controversial pastime of bullfighting, the Guardian reports. The protesters marched through the streets of the eastern city of Valencia to protest at local authority bans applied in some parts of the country. Famous names from the ritualistic sport attending the march were Enrique Ponce and Julian Lopez “El Juli” Escobar. Both joined another famous fighter, Jose Antonio Morante Camacho, better known as Morante de la Puebla, at the gathering. Participants held aloft banners proclaiming the practice as a key element of cultural expression. “The bullfighting world is aware of the problem and maltreatment we are suffering at the hands of a part of the political class,” said Morante de la Puebla. “We are here to say, this is our life, it’s a tradition,” he bellowed, according to the Guardian. Ponce meanwhile read a tract in defense of bullfighting, insisting the tradition has for centuries been an integral part of Spanish culture even if some refuse to accept it as such. And he urged that “toreros”, or bullfighters, be treated with the same respect as those pursuing “artistic” activities. The morning had seen a lower-key protest against bullfighting with some 20 semi-clad activists who had splattered themselves with red ink to symbolize the bulls’ suffering demanding the practice be abolished. Spain is split overall on the issue. Six years ago the largely autonomous regional Catalan government banned “corridas”, as the pastime is known in the region. Some cities run by leftist administrations including Madrid and Valencia also recently cut subsidies for bullfighting. Photo: Roomsevilla Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |