France’s House of Lords will this week debate a bill to ban children under 16 from attending bullfights, flaring tensions and infuriating enthusiasts of the centuries-old tradition.
French law prohibits animal cruelty and bullfighting is banned in most of France.
But in the south, bullfighting is allowed in cities such as Bayonne, Nîmes and Beziers, where it is considered a cultural tradition, despite complaints from activists.
“The goal is to eradicate bullfighting. If we don’t pass on the values of bullfighting to children, they won’t go to the bullring and it will stop,” says Christine Banuls, member of the bullfighting association La Embestida. the southern town of Bouillargues.
“We must give every parent and every child the opportunity to choose.”
Although public opinion favors banning bullfighting in France, an attempt to ban the practice in 2022 failed, with a majority of lawmakers wary of inciting the southern heartlands.
The new bill, submitted to the Senate by centrist Samantha Cazebonne, aims to ban bullfighting and cockfighting in the presence of children under the age of 16 to “protect them from exposure to violence.”
“Allowing these traumatic shows to take place in front of children goes against the rest of our legislation,” added fellow Senator Arnaud Bazin, who is a veterinarian by training.
But the legislation, which will be debated in the right-wing Senate on Thursday, is not expected to pass.
Max Brisson, a Conservative senator, said he opposed the bill, adding that it “ignores local freedoms.”
Many so-called ‘bull towns’ rely on the shows for tourism and see the culture of bull breeding and spectacle – revered by authors and artists from Ernest Hemingway to Pablo Picasso – as part of their way of life.
– ‘Land of freedom’ –
On a rainy afternoon in mid-October, hundreds of spectators gathered in Bouillargues to watch young aspiring bullfighters take part in one of the last bullfights of the season.
Three Spanish ‘novilleros’ – novice bullfighters who have not yet been called matadors – killed six young bulls from French farms.
Among the spectators in the almost full stands, a dozen teenagers and children watched the ‘novillada’ – a bullfight with young bulls – to the soundtrack of the brass band.
One parent, who gave only his first name, Maxime, took his eight-year-old son to watch the spectacle.
“I was afraid that killing the bull would affect him, but in the end he is not that shocked,” the 36-year-old said.
The boy’s father said he was not particularly upset by the proposal to ban children.
If the bill passes, “we won’t go anymore, that’s all,” he said.
Ludivine Boyer, an audience member who came with a group of friends, defended the tradition. One of Boyer’s friends brought her four-year-old daughter with her.
Boyer said it was important for children to be able to attend.
“Yes, it is tough, but a cat being run over is tough too,” said the 36-year-old.
Taking children to bullfighting was “a parental choice, part of their upbringing,” she added. “We are in a land of freedom.”
– ‘Healthy relationship with death’ –
France is one of only eight countries where bullfighting is still allowed. Colombia plans to ban the practice by 2027.
In most places where bullfighting is legal, minors can participate, although sometimes they must be accompanied by adults.
There are a few exceptions, including the Spanish region of Galicia, where children under 12 are prohibited.
Julien Lescarret, a former bullfighter in Bayonne, denied that violence can cause trauma to young audiences.
“Children have a very healthy relationship with death,” he said, encouraging parents to watch bullfights with their children.
Marc Jamet, who trains a dozen students aged between six and 22 at a bullfighting school in Nîmes, said banning minors would be an “aberration”.
Elias, who is training to be a bullfighter in Nîmes, saw his first bullfights at the age of three.
“When I was little, I said to myself, that guy in the middle of the ring could be me,” the 13-year-old said.
The Union of French Bullfighting Cities has introduced special prizes for young spectators, offering tickets to 2,300 people under 25 this year.
Anthony Sorbet, 25, founder of the collective Jeunes Aficionados du Sud-Ouest (Young Aficionados of the Southwest), uses social networks to introduce young people to “all the emotions you can experience in the arena”.
“It’s not just about violence. When we’re young, it’s more about the power of the moment.”
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