Spanish style bullfighting, a spectacle where the animal typically meets its demise at the hands of a matador wielding a sword, is viewed by proponents as a cherished cultural heritage in need of conservation. However, detractors vehemently denounce it as a barbaric ritual that has long overstayed its welcome in contemporary society.
The death of Spanish bullfighting has been declared many times, but the number of bullfights in the country is at its highest level in seven years, and the young are the most consistent presence as older groups of spectators drop away
A light rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of a sea of people packing the northern city's Townhall Square, their clothes already drenched with the red wine and sangria that flow freely during the eight-day festival.