Have agonized over writing this, and would appreciate not being flamed for it ‘just because’.
I went to Las Ventas more than 20 years ago and saw the bullfight. I was in Madrid visiting friends who convinced me to go. I stood outside with ticket in hand for ages before actually going in, but it was going to happen anyway, and ultimately I rationalised that making a judgement based on knowing rather than perception was a decision worth taking.
Unfortunately your perceptions are correct. It was a brutal thing to see. On both sides. Clearly no civilised society should allow this to happen for any reason, let alone in the name of entertainment. On the other hand, the skill and bravery of the matadors and the banderillos is breathtaking. These bulls are bred and trained for fighting and the toreador confronts death or serious injury head on every day. I don’t condone the event, but I absolute salute their courage, and while i see the point of view that if they didn’t do it they wouldn’t get gored, I take no satisfaction in fathers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters being seriously injured or killed as a result. Yes, it’s part of the job but they are still people.
If they could keep the spectacle but remove the violence it would be something that i’d urge anyone to go and see. The venue is stunning, the event on a late sunday afternoon is culturally so significant, everyone out in their fineries to see and be seen, the costumes and choreography is amazing, the sheer size and speed and power of the bulls in contrast to a skinny man in ballet pumps…… so much about it was brilliant yet ultimately it is so utterly, utterly wrong.
Like i started – please don’t flame me. i made a decision 20+ years ago, and as a result i KNOW why it has no place in a civilised world, and i would never go again nor recommend anyone else go. Do i regret going? Very tough to answer; yes of course i regret seeing the death of 6 animals in the name of sport, but in an odd way I’m glad to have seen it once. And i can’t take it back now anyway, so there it is.