Madam - Aideen Yourrell's letter (August 19th) on Spain's bullfights (I prefer the more noble "tauromachy") comes across as exactly what it is: another obtuse epistle from the rights brigade (aka party poopers) who make it their particular mission to sit in pompous judgment of other cultures. I wish to counter several points.
Firstly, the European Union's subsidies are directed towards regional cultural activities. Of course, Ms Yourrell's rights vocabulary makes it obligatory to condemn the bullfight as "sickening cruelty". However, it is undeniable that this sport belongs to a long, noble tradition stretching back to Roman times. In its modern form, the bullfight can be traced back to Francisco Romero of Ronda, the first modern matador, who lived in the 18th century. Despite Ms Yourrell's moralising platitudes, this sport is a part of Spanish regional culture. It warrants the same funding opportunities as seaweed farms in Donegal, and because the Plaza de Toros in Ronda still attracts huge crowds, I don't see why it should not. And if her organisation does not like it, tough.
Secondly, if, as Ms Yourrell claims, bullfighting should be banned because it is supported only by a small minority, she should take some time to read the Spanish newspapers during the toros season.
The sports pages of most of the major newspapers are dominated by news of the bullfights, and very often special pages dedicated to up-and-coming torerosfeature prominently. We have a house in Andalucia and most street corners are covered in brilliant posters of the torerosand bullfight programmes.
Finally, I'm very sure that the Spanish could mount equal criticisms of the "bullfights" on Irish streets at weekends, featuring drunken revellers, bellowing crowds and, indeed, bloody results. Does Ms Yourrell suggest we ban drinking, no doubt the root of these "torture sessions"? Then again, this kind of "craic" is part of Irish culture, isn't it?
- Yours, etc,
SEÁN ALEXANDER SMITH, Galway.