Why Bous A La Mar (“bulls To The Sea”) Is Sparking National Controversy

One of nan astir contentious taste disputes successful nan Valencian Community whitethorn beryllium astir to participate a caller and highly important phase. The president of nan Spanish Animalist Party PACMA, Javier Luna, has confirmed that representatives of nan organisation will meet pinch Denia’s mayor, Socialist Vicent Grimalt, astatine nan Town Hall successful January 2026. According to Luna, nan purpose of nan gathering is to “address nan bous a la mar rumor straight and coming proposals to move towards their elimination”. He made nan announcement connected Sunday 30 November during a gathering pinch statement supporters successful Valencia.

This is not nan first clip PACMA has requested an assemblage pinch Grimalt and members of nan section government, formed by PSPV and Compromís. Back successful September 2023, nan statement sought a akin gathering during 1 of nan astir turbulent moments for bous a la mar, aft a bull died during nan July festivities. The incident generated extended nationalist and world media sum and triggered a activity of criticism.

Political hostility rises complete ongoing tradition

Since then, PACMA and Denia’s authorities person engaged successful what could beryllium described arsenic a governmental tug of war. In 2024, nan statement praised nan Town Hall’s determination — announced by nan councillor for Fiestas, Socialist Raúl García de la Reina — to trim nan bous a la mar programme and to prohibit events during nan hottest hours of midday.

However, nan animalist group soon grew disappointment erstwhile nary further action was taken towards nan complete suppression of nan bull-related festivities. This summer, PACMA publically criticised PSOE and Compromís for “continuing to allocate nationalist money to this atrocity” and for allowing minors to participate nan impermanent arena adjacent to nan port.

Socialists guidelines patient arsenic guidance demands afloat return

In July, Grimalt made his position clear: arsenic agelong arsenic nan Socialists govern Denia, bous a la mar will not beryllium abolished, nor will nan midday prohibition beryllium lifted. In different words, nan arena will proceed successful its much constricted format — a stance that PACMA considers wholly insufficient.

Meanwhile, PP and Vox person taken nan other approach, demanding that nan afloat almanac of events beryllium restored. For these parties, bous a la mar represents a captious portion of Denia’s personality and an economical driver during nan engaged summertime season.

What precisely are bous a la mar?

For galore overseas residents and visitors, nan contention tin beryllium difficult to understand without taste context. Bous a la mar is simply a centuries-old section contented held arsenic portion of Denia’s summertime fiestas. The arena involves releasing bulls into a waterfront arena built beside nan port, wherever participants effort to lure nan animals towards nan sea. Some bulls extremity up falling aliases jumping into nan water, aft which they are guided backmost to onshore by boats.

Supporters of nan arena reason that it is simply a unsocial show of Denia’s maritime heritage, insisting that nan bulls are not intentionally harmed and that strict information measures are successful place. Thousands of spectators be each year, and for locals, nan contented forms a cardinal portion of nan town’s taste identity.

Opponents telephone for betterment arsenic January gathering approaches

Yet opponents — some successful Spain and overseas — spot bous a la mar arsenic outdated and unsafe for some animals and participants. Animal use organisations picture nan believe arsenic inherently stressful for nan bulls, sloppy of whether beingness wounded occurs.

As nan January gathering approaches, each sides are preparing for what could beryllium a decisive infinitesimal successful this long-running dispute. Whether Denia opts for reform, continuity aliases a gradual phase-out, nan statement surrounding bous a la mar is erstwhile again astatine nan centre of a nationalist conversation.