If you have gone to a bullfight in Spain, I'd like your reaction. I'm very aware of the controversary and each side's opinions. But I'd like the reaction of those who have actually gone. If you have an opinion, but have not attended a bullfight, please do not reply.

We saw a fight in Madrid a couple of years. Saw six bull fights. By the end of the third fight, the bull had lost one, won one, and one was a draw. But even when the bull wins, he loses.

Would I go again? -- NO To much sameness.

Any I glad I went? -- Probably -- From a cultural view point it is interesting and enlightening -- lots of pageantry, lots of blood, lots of pain, and interesting to watch the local crowd. It was interesting to read the papers the next day about the matador who lost the second match. A crafty young bull who made a unexpected move against a promising, up and coming young matador -- unfortunately neither got to live to an old age.

Go, it is a part of Spain, it is history, it is culture, and it is why we travel. Frank

I love Spain, but I would NEVER go to one. It's like my Spanish teacher who was from Seville said, "Well, not all Americans like football" (I for one detest the sport). If you want some insight into it, rent the movie "Americano".

My husband and I have been to three bullfights and one novillada. The first one we saw was in Seville. We were the only tourists amongst a group of locals and they more or less adopted us. They explained every detail of the bullfights and really showed us what the art of bullfighting is all about. That same trip we saw a rejoneo (bullfighting from a horse) in Madrid. It was awesome.

A couple of years later we saw El Juli (a very young famous Spanish matador) in a bullfight in France and he really put on a show worth seeing! Amazing!

My husband loves bullfights; I have mixed feelings about it. I feel sorry for the bull because he is in a no-win situation; but I greatly admire the bullfighter, his courage and his art.

Would we go again? Yes, we would.

If they didn't kill the bull at the end, or torture it during the correo, I would enjoy it. The most exciting part is the first ten minutes or so, when a (deliberately angered) bull rushes into the arena and goes for anything it sees. I have great admiration for the bravery of anyone in that ring at this point. But then the picador comes in on his padded horse, and with his lance he rips the neck muscles of the bull so it can't keep his head up. The crowd hate this and often he gets booed. The bandilleros who dance in front of the bull planting their small lances into his shoulders are also daring, but by now, it's not an equal contest; the bull is weakened by his wounds, presumably so that he doesn't kill the toreadores. I absolutely hate the kill.
If you get the chance to see bullfighting on horseback (rejeonadores) take it. You may be in a bar and it's on the TV. It is absolutely breath-holding, and you can see the horse is enjoying it as much as the rider.
I don't go to bull fights (after the first)as I think they are cruel but I have seen many on TV (it's hard to avoid if you are in a bar and the TV is switched to that station). I think the dice are loaded against the bull, when was the last time a matador was killed?

You could always go to Arles

http://tinyurl.com/ykc6dx

I went in Madrid and was totally unprepared, naive and horrified. It was impossible for me to appreciate the true pageantry and bravery of the event b/c of the violence.

I know it is culturally meaningful but I would not go again. I should have been better prepared, usually I am. Good for you for doing your research.

My grandmother went to a bullfight and she was so disgusted she walked out.

Seen bull fights on t.v. as a child when our local Spanish language station showed them regularly. To me the torturing of animals is not entertainment, no matter how entrenched it is culturally. What to expect from a country that drops goats from towers and ties firecrackers to the horns of bulls in the way of "celebrations." No thank you...

You should see it once. If you're like most non-Spaniards you probably won't want to go again and you'll find yourself rooting for the bulls.
Bullfighting is big in Sevilla, moderate in Madrid and not too popular in Barcelona. (More protesters outside as you travel north). They are not run all year though. Check the schedules. And in Barcelona there is a minimum age (16?). Ole!

I'm a Spaniard who doesn't like bullfighting(and I'm not that strange, really). And I don't need to argue about everything related to it ..it just bores me to death. I wouldn't waste my money in such a thing..

I think there's another thread on this - a long one, if I remember correctly.

But I went to one in Barcelona during my study abroad trip years ago, and was horrified. I didn't think it would bother me that much but I left in tears. I think it's awful.

obviously I wouldn't go again.

Good for all of you who said they would never go. I never have and never will. NO one "needs to experience one for the culture". Most of the cathedrals in Spain are several times older than bullfighting, especially in its modern form. It has not been around that long; there's no need to add it to your "must see" list. (It would be like someone vistiting the U.S. and thinking they have to see a circus simply because it's part of our culture.)
By the way, did you know that a large percentage of bullfight spectators are tourists? They help keep
the tradition alive because they want to experience the "cultural traditions" of those countries, because
tourguides & writers still feel they have to include them as part of their coverage. There is (thankfully) a
large and growing movement in Spain to ban all bullfighting; it is already greatly reduced in Barcelona. If
tourists would stop giving money to the industry, it would greatly help bullfighting go into History's
Dumpster of Bad Ideas, where it belongs, along with gladiator fights, the Spanish Inquisition and
feeding Christians to lions.

Europesplace, Thank you for your sensitive post. I am seriously thinking that I might stop eating meat altogether given the even worse treatment of poultry etc in large farms. But what's with Circus not being part of our (American) culture? Don't you have a TV, Man?

Thanks again.

BTW, anyone who would like to know more about bullfights should read this webpage: http://www.animalliberationfront.com...ainInSpain.htm

It will open your eyes.

ComfyShoes,
No, what I meant was, we've had circuses for about 100 years or so, but tourists who come here to the U.S. don't come to see them; they come to see Washington D.C, New York,
Boston, and other places of historic/cultural interest. Yes, I know a lot go to see McDisneyworld and such places too, but what I meant was, circuses haven't been around all that long-- and they're hardly a "must-see" for tourists.

the first time i saw the final thrust, i thought at least, of the sword into the monster's throat, was disgusting, especially since it didn't hit its mark and though blood was gushing out and the bull still staggering around it took a few more thrusts to make the beast shake and slowly buckle to the ground, a huge geyser of blood being ejaculated out of its mouth.

Yet i was 20 years old and took it as a cultural thing.

When i saw this spectacle again about 20 years later i swore that that was my last bullfight and it has been. Even the constant picking of sharp sticks into the bull by the picadores (sp?) at that time made me feel like vomiting.

I guess it's something you have to witness and then use your own moral compass to decide whether you want to sanction such or boycott in future.

Since I always root for the bulls, a song comes to mind about the gored matador.

The pain in Spain was felt mainly in his vein.

I have been, and would never go again.

I still don't know why bullfights are a "must-see" for tourists...I wouldn't waste a cent in something I don't like, I don't think I lose anything about my own culture