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Catalonia’s toreros have slain their last bull. 20,000 fans packed into Barcelona’s La Monumental to witness the last bullfight of the season -- and the last in Catalonia -- forever.

BBC provides some background.

“It was last year the region’s parliament voted to ban bullfighting after a campaign lead by animal rights activists. Their cause was supported by Catalan nationalists, ever keen to mark their difference from the rest of Spain and their traditions. The crowds at Barcelona’s last bull ring has been shrinking for some time. Many who came were tourists. For fans though, this is the sad end an era.”

Reports say the popularity of the spectacle has drastically decreased in recent years. According to the New York Times, the number of bullfights held in Spain during August was down over 50% from 2007.

CNN’s Nadia Bilchik explains what happens in the ring.

“You’re seeing the matador at the end. But what happened to getting the bull to this state is that he had the muscles in his neck pierced so that it is very debilitating because that’s the largest muscle of the bull.”

“It is pretty brutal, they even I’ve heard, put some type of Vaseline on their eyes before they go into the ring they only see dark and are overwhelmed.”


But the fans of the spectacle believe they can overturn the ban before next season and are organizing a petition to label the combat as a cultural asset. The country’s Popular Party has already appealed the ban. The Daily Mail explains their criticism.

“Supporters of bullfighting accused Catalan nationalists of hijacking the anti-bullfighting campaign for political purposes, to highlight their independence from Madrid. They point out that other popular events involving bulls, called 'correbous', still take place legally in Catalonia, one of 17 autonomous regions in Spain.”

Outside of the final fight -- bullfighting fans took to the streets to defend their favorite pastime. Euronews spoke with one fan that says bullfighting still fill arenas.

“This is a dictatorship. We haven’t done anything to hurt anyone yet they banned our 300 year old pastime. And in a place like Barcelona where there were enough fans to fill three arenas.”

But a passionate animal rights activist tells France 24 -- he’s relieved.

“I’ve protested here every Sunday for the last seven years. I’ve had death threats and been beaten up. I’m very happy because they won’t torture or kill animals. “

 
Transcript by Newsy

World News: Catalonia Ends Bull Fighting

Catalonia Says Farewell to Bullfighting

September 25, 2011
(2:28)
Catalonia's toreros have slain their last bull. This season marks the end of bullfights in Catalonia.
   
TRANSCRIPT

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