SHAME ON TORDESILLAS (SPAIN): A BULL TO DEAD IN HORROR

In the second week of September, the Virgin of La Peña is honoured in Tordesillas. To celebrate Her day, people kill a bull with spears and cut off the testicles. The Virgin must feel really honoured with this sacrifice, as it has been yearly repeated for centuries. The "show" is regulated by the City Council, in other words, it is banned to kill the bull ahead of time and to use motor vehicles. The bull is forced by people to run and cross the bridge, attacking the animal with spears; when the animal gets the plain, crossing the river, mortal attacks with those weapons are already allowed. Previously, people can only attack to injure and/or pierce the bull. When the bull falls down, the perpetrator of the theoretical mortal attack exercises his right to cut the testicles off and -even though it is already disapproved, to show them hunging in the end of his spear. He receives his prize from the City Council of Tordesillas: a medal and a spear made of wrought iron. It is very difficult to imagine what kind of human intellect, sick and warped, can enjoy this psychopathic practice. It is even more difficult to cover this whole sadistic package with the carpet of culture. Where does this country goes with these despicable traditions? Imagine yourself in the middle of the yelling crowd, in front of a bleeding, wounded and riddled animal, mooing out in pain and horror.