In recent weeks, the traditional Valencian celebration of the Bous al carrer has been highly questioned. The popular festival takes on special relevance during the summer months and this year has been, precisely, the worst in terms of the number of deaths recorded in the arenas of the Valencian Community since 2014.
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In figures
The reports that the Ministry of Justice, Interior and Public Administration of the Generalitat Valenciana offers on the festival date back to 2015, where the number of deaths also from 2014 is recorded. From that year until last 2021 a total of 25 deaths resulting from from the Bous to the street. 2015 was the worst year of all with seven deaths, followed by 2019 with five people dead.
Regarding the rest of the years, three deaths were recorded in 2014 and 2020, two deaths in each year between 2016 and 2018 and one more in 2021. But it has been now, in 2022, when the tragedy has been more striking. In two months, July and August, the Community accumulated seven more deaths due to the Bous al carrer. And, this week, the figure has increased to eight victims. An elderly person died after being injured by a cow in Los Bous on Carrer de Canet d'en Berenguer.
Victims in the Marina Alta this summer
The Marina Alta is a region with strong roots in the Bous al carrer, above all, in the festive programming of each year. But it has also been one of the most victims in the entire Valencian territory, together with l'Alt Palància.
La The first death occurred as a result of the Bous at Carrer de Pedreguer. A municipality very faithful to the celebration and that this year announced its patron saint festivities with a historical fact, 30 bullfights in total. On the first day of bous, one of the animals turned and stepped on a man who was watching the show. Nine days of hospitalization later, the person died.
La second victim was charged in the bulls of Beniarbeig, during the morning of August 25. A woman, well known among party fans in the region, was gored by a heifer and died almost instantly.
Unrest in the Generalitat
These data and, above all, the most recent have been the ones that have unleashed the debate again. An issue that worries both society and the Generalitat. Proof of this, on August 29, four days after the seventh victim, that of Beniarbeig, the entity extraordinary convened a Consultative Commission for Traditional Bullfighting Celebrations.
The Commission was held with the intention of analyzing the situation of the party to date and to propose recommendations to the party entities due to the increase in incidents. The meeting ended with no more success than that of the regional secretary for Security and Emergency Response, José María Ángel, asking for caution.
A day later, the Vice President of the Consell and Minister of Transparency, Social Responsibility, Participation and Cooperation, Aitana Mas (Compromís), issued a clear reflection further fanning the flame in an interview for EuropaPress. "Is a party where people die really a party?" She posed. Unable to go beyond her personal assessments and the ideology of her party, Mas then asked to reopen the debate, not to prohibit the celebration of the Bous al carrer, but to improve it.
Despite the fact that, according to the Generalitat, the regulation of the celebration in the Valencian Community is the most restrictive in the country and the one that offers the most protection to people, many issues that enter the debate fall on municipal autonomy. Without going any further, this same summer the City Council of Tavernes de la Valldigna did not authorize the party, nor did Sueca.
The bullfighting demands
The response to the vice president's words was not long in coming. The Federation of Peñas de Bous al Carrer Valenciana issued a statement on September 1 in which it considered any "proposal or initiative" against the popular bullfighting festival that was transferred to the Generalitat of "marked electoral purpose and visibility given the proximity of the elections". A thought that also permeates society commonly.
This same week, the Secretary for Security and Response to Emergencies and the General Director of the Interior, Salvador Almenar, met with the Valencian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FVMP) and with mayors to address aspects related to liability and insurance that must hire the organizers of the celebrations of Bous al carrer.
In it, the same promoters expressed the difficulty they face when signing certain insurance policies that cover bullfights. In the same way, the mayors raised the need to review the economic amount that they have to allocate to this coverage and, on the other hand, the insurance companies commented that they need to increase the minimum investment of the policy to provide the widest coverage possible.
Rethink the future of the party?
After the succession of events in this tragic summer, what should be the future of the Bous al Carrer? Should new restrictions be applied to the bullfight? These are some of the questions that can be raised from now on. Because it is clear that, beyond respect for animals and animalist arguments, the current debate has been opened by the defenselessness of human lives.
A week, a month, half a year or the following summer. It is not clear how long it will take until the Generalitat addresses the issue. Nor where will the proposals be directed to improve conditions at the party. Will they consider reinforcing security in the Bous al carrer in some way? Limit the capacity of participants and in the squares? Or will they propose to ban some modalities of the celebration, such as the bou embolat, which attract the most curious? It may also be that the course is aimed at restricting other traditions such as the promotion of leisure in the vicinity with the consumption and sale of alcohol.
At the moment the Consell has not ruled on the matter, nor have all these questions been raised. Not facing the arena. But according to the intentions of Aitana Mas they will not take long to do so. Or, at least, that is what a part of society hopes.
This act should be prohibited and all torture is not culture, it can never be defended when there is animal suffering
I would put some horns on Jodemos and Compromis (those who don't have them as standard) and fight them. It would be a nice way for them to sacrifice themselves for Mother Earth...
Cris, that you make comments on social networks, only serves to show that to belong to them it is not necessary to pass an intelligence test.
I already tell you that to end up in Congress those of Podemos have not passed any mental test either.
I don't belong to social networks...
The little Spanish macho is embarrassing, everything evolves except the sadistic parties of this fucking country with medieval culture
Well, good luck to you
It is sad that in this country we have to continue debating how many deaths are acceptable or not because of traditions more typical of medieval barbarism than of a modern society that proclaims itself civilized. Here the problem lies in a cowardly and cynical political class that does not have the courage to say to the Spaniards – Gentlemen, it is time to stop being the shame of Europe and leave behind the darkest past to face a future more in keeping with the times . Although they should start counting votes, because the animalist feeling is already much higher than that of those who enjoy martyring animals.
So animalistic and environmentalists that you are going to clean the mountain that is very dirty and lights up
And why don't you go? Obviously you are a savage and you love to see how an animal is tortured, just like all the rednecks who go to this shame towards an animal that just wants to flee from so much gratuitous cruelty. I would like to know what goes through your mind to those of you who like these anachronistic cruelties.
Well, it is the reflection of a very redneck town, which absorbs macabre traditions, wants to perpetuate them and if it is drunk, even better.
Despicable these actions against animals, appalling situation.
I don't think it will ever end, people are getting dumber and dumber. All Parties, yes sir!
Can't you comment without offending?
The bulls in the field
total ban
Let them fight bengal tigers...
We must put an end to bullfighting in all its forms in the ENTIRE WORLD!!!
It is not necessary to prohibit there to regulate and apply the norms of these acts and control capacity and security to avoid accidents of unconscious and irresponsible people who endanger their lives for not knowing the world of the bull or carrying alcohol rate that disinhibits danger or people with reduced mobility due to their weight or age and of course minors who cannot go out on the route or plaza
I think that the issue of the alcoholism rate could be fixed by placing the bar in a different area from the bullfighting one, putting one next to the other is a danger due to the unconsciousness of the people, besides, there are people who just like to go to the bar, it's just an idea, don't kill me
Those of you from the newspaper are rigging the poll, two days ago I voted and 66,9% of the votes came out saying to ban bullfighting, now, suddenly, it lets me vote again (before you couldn't do more than one) and it comes out 59,0 % of votes says to ban bullfighting, what happens? You did not expect that response from the citizens and now you want to cover it up? You are obeying Chulvi's orders, right? Regardless of whether one thing or another won, the information should not be covered up, if you do this with a simple survey, who knows what else you are covering up out there, scoundrels
We continue to collect signatures to present to the town hall soon to end Bous al Carrer and Bous a la Mar. Please sign and share 🙏
https://www.change.org/bous-a-la-mar-javea
A few weeks ago an 8-year-old boy died in a motorcycle race where he was participating. Have if you ask for signatures to ban these races and file a lawsuit against irresponsible parents.
It is not necessary to prohibit there to regulate and apply the norms of these acts and control capacity and security to avoid accidents of unconscious and irresponsible people who endanger their lives for not knowing the world of the bull or carrying alcohol rate that disinhibits danger or people with reduced mobility due to their weight or age and of course minors who cannot go out on the route or plaza
These are the things of the catetos of the Terreta.
They don't give for more.
and you a pain in the ass
Bon dia
It is surprising how this issue arouses so many reactions, when the real problems of Xábia barely produce a reaction in the public, little participation and no protest. Like mayor like town. Bland photos and statements and silences on serious matters.
Unbeatable comment!!!! THEY DON'T GIVE FOR MORE.
This barbaric activity should be stopped. It is cruel to bulls and ruins the enjoyment of the town center while there are barriers and bulls in the town. It is just for tourists and we should have kinder events for tourists not cruelty. Spanish people are kind and friendly let's show that to tourists. Machismo is not attractive.
Stimmt, hört endlich auf mit dieser Grausamkeit!!!
Very well said. I hope it is taken into account. Thanks.
Unbeatable comment!!!! THEY DON'T GIVE FOR MORE.
That they return to the caves, make the animals suffer, is that tradition, culture? That is SAVAGE, let's evolve for the first time and let them fight their p... mother
juanportalescatala3171961@gmail.com
'Machismo' is a different thing.,!!!… It is a party that many of us do not understand or accept. Leave the animals alone, and let us evolve as humans for the better.,!!!
Dear Ann, although your comment is in English, I suppose it is addressed to the English community who have lived here for decades and don't even understand a good morning, on the subject of bullfighting I agree with you, although I would clarify that this topic "guiri" so dandruff of the " Spanish bullfighter machismo»…that is, a foreigner cliché. How to sell all of Spain reduced in: Summer, Beach, Sun, Paella, Sangria, Bullfights, Flamenco, all very macho and very waiters... If you enter the Spanish Society you will discover that this topic does not exist beyond the movies of the 70s ′.
Leave the bulls alone, it gives work, profits where the ranchers already make, if you don't like them, don't go, people also die working, driving, etc. and they don't prohibit us from working
If you want bulls to put a little box on your income statement like the church and you pay it out of your pocket, not mine or the rest of the citizens who do not want to maintain animal abuse, even if we stop going they continue using our money for that, so if you want bulls, you know, collect signatures so that they put the little box on your income statement and pay those who are in favor of abuse
And a box to shut the mouths of disrespectful and cynical animal advocates who are unable to raise a cat.
Set up a farm each. Pay the taxes and then defend the survival of the animals and the company.
As for the incidents, it is a hobby of risk. And like mountaineering, the sea and other incidents are in unprepared people.
I neither want nor should I pay for something I do not want or support, do you want bulls? That they have them but that only people who like this type of celebration pay for them, I don't kill myself to work, pay taxes and self-employment so that my money goes to these things, that simple, understand that not everyone should pay for it whim of a few, good night
I don't like failures and I pay for them too, I don't understand why people practice risky sports if their rescues cost us millions later, but I also pay for it with my taxes, if we start biasing according to the tastes of each Spaniard, perhaps it would all go to waste.
They can also put a box to give you milk…. To begin with, the bullfights and the patron saint festivities are paid for by the bullfighting clubs, that is, you do not pay a single euro, what is more, the municipalities benefit from the sales of the people who go to the festivities, just like the fallas, I do not pay for the falla below I'm not even a fallero at home but I eat them and I don't like them RESPECT AND YOU WILL BE RESPECTED…. Now that they remove scooters, bikes, cars, beaches, failures and sports and bulls and etc. and we will have nothing left…. the one who says that the bull suffers in the bous al carrer is that ko has never been nor does he know what the bull is, he goes down, takes a turn and returns to his corral
What taxes do you pay and where they are destined for the bulls, you don't even know
I already speak the voice of ignorance…. So goes Spain
That instead of the bull they take you out and they embolize you, what a character
Well répondu gardons los traditions que ont tendance à perdre dans ce monde de plus en plus sterilisé.
The bull don't want to go
Bullfighting draft farmers looking for a decent job
I agree “If you don't like it don't go” but unfortunately the bulls have no choice Bring back the Roman coliseum that might keep you amused as you could have a go yourself / more of a level playing field
I think it has to end, a century ago there were no other entertainments, but now there are…
I don't like to see how they annoy an animal for fun, I'm sorry. There are other things to do today.
Of course, the men who go to the bulls are more animals, but if the animal suffers and on top of that so many deaths of people fucked by bulls, but that the people are not well? ban it already
Close the beaches because a lot of people drown... Pure hypocrisy
Please, you know bous al Carrer? Bulls don't suffer physical damages. After finishing the day, Bulls have a delicious meal for their effort and live outdoors where they can train and run. Otherwise, Bulls would finish as saucises or in a dog meal can.
When it comes to victims, I don't think of the people, I think of the bulls. That man still thinks he is the crowning glory of creation is just plain stupid. The only creatures without greed, without revenge, without the joy of killing is still the animal, not the human. Killing an animal for fun is the wistful memory of the Neanderthals. At least they had the excuse that they needed food. Anyone who behaves like this today is just primitive.
In Spanish, please, we are in Spain and our language is Spanish, I don't have to know English.
You go to the United States and they serve you, it's Valencian bro, Spain belongs to everyone and is shared, much less with an Englishman who is 80% of the work in Spain ninot
Please, you know bous al Carrer? Bulls don't suffer physical damages. After finishing the day, Bulls have a delicious meal for their effort and live outdoors where they can train and run. Otherwise, Bulls would finish as saucises or in a dog meal can.
And hit the bous, it's a party that will never be banned all political parties are in favor only a small minority against if they make a fool of someone else.
Those who must decide are the citizens who are the ones who pay, not the politicians and, at the moment, the vast majority do not want their money to be used for animal abuse. If you want bulls to put a little box on your income statement like the church and you pay it out of your own pocket, not mine or that of the rest of the citizens who do not want that party, go ahead, herding that is a gerund
No bulls, better lions and in 4 days there is not a two-legged sheep left in this country.
I don't like failures and I pay for them, I don't understand why people practice risk sports or hike in difficult places when their rescues cost us millions, and I pay for it too, if we start biasing according to the tastes of each Spaniard, how many little boxes were there to have to put in the income statement...