Portugal's inglorious tradition of torturing bulls

The dispute over bullfighting has once again flared up in Portugal. The ministry of culture has set up a bullfighting department in the National Culture Council, despite the fact that bullfights - or at least those involving the death of the animal - have been banned since 2002. The daily Jornal de Notícias criticises the decision: "This is all we needed: a minister of culture that sees the suffering and death of animals as part of our culture. Take note of her name, for it will go down in the annals of 21st century Portuguese culture: Gabriela Canavilhas. This is the name at the foot of this disgraceful resolution ... . No one should be surprised if a department for cockfighting, or even one for female circumcision, is set up next. These are two more respect-worthy cultural traditions that deserve to be honoured."  

» full article (external link, Portuguese)
More from the press review on the subject » Cultural Policy, » Portugal
All available articles from » Manuel António Pina

» To the complete press review of Tuesday, February 23, 2010