The Toro de Lidia Foundation appealed the cancellation of the National Bullfighting Prize organized by the Ministry of Culture last September. The department led by Ernest Urtasun won the award with citizen support of more than 90 percent. A month later, the pro-bullfighting organization filed an appeal before the National Court, defending that the elimination “violates the legal system that obliges public administrations to promote bullfighting as an important element of culture in Spain “.
The Foundation also assures that the decision taken by the ministry is an action “contrary to its obligations to promote culture”. Thus, they ask for the “protection” of justice to “repair” the action which they describe as “damaging” to bullfighting as a whole.
Ernest Urtasun announced at the beginning of May his intention to abolish the National Bullfighting Prize. He then indicated that he would not request recognition of the 2024 appeal and that he would begin administrative procedures for its definitive cancellation. Lidia’s Toro Foundation demonstrated its rejection of the cancellation from the first moment; and announced that it would also grant the prize, autonomously, “as long as the censorship exception situation caused” by Urtasun lasts.
On September 5, the BOE published the ministerial order by which the price was finally abolished. This tribute was created in 2011 to add to those already given in Music, Fine Arts, Theater and other artistic disciplines. A financial reward of 30,000 euros was established, or 10,000 more, for example, than what the winners of the national literature prizes received.
