Dear Director-General of UNESCO, Ms. Audrey Azoulay, It came to our attention that an application to consider bullfighting as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding was submitted by the International Tauromaquia (Bullfighting) Association on 7 June 2020. In accordance with the provisions of the 2003 Convention, the application will most likely be discussed by the Bureau of the Intergovernmental Committee at its meeting in October this year.

We recognize and fully support UNESCO’s vital mission of seeking to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture. Nevertheless, just like expressed in UNESCO’s mandate, we also agree that peace must be built upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of humanity. It is our view that intellectual and moral solidary of humanity necessarily encompasses solidarity towards all living beings.

Bullfighting is an activity that depicts and glorifies abuse, violence and cruelty towards animals for the sake of the entertainment of a limited number of individuals around the globe. In addition to the brutality experienced by the animals involved, bullfighting also has serious mental repercussions on those of young age that are habituated to witness it and, consequently, not educated with the desirable ideals of peace and kindness towards all living beings.

This way, from our perspective, bullfighting has no place in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

When considering the awarding or praising of cultural traditions, it is our understanding that the ethicality of such acts must be taken into account. Elevating bullfighting with the distinction of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding would mean that UNESCO does not condemn violence and cruelty if at stake is an activity that characterizes the cultural habits of certain groups of individuals.

Celebrating cultural expressions of nations plays a vital role in bringing the world together. However, and given that a large and growing worldwide majority is against bullfighting, as proven by its decrease in popularity, we understand that such elevation would not fulfil this role – if anything, it would only contribute to deepen the frustration and sense of injustice felt by those that care for and respect animals. Furthermore, we would also expect that such distinction would undermine the purpose and credibility of UNESCO’s very important humanitarian mission.

We hope that UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage agrees with us and objects to classifying the activity of bullfighting as Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Thank you for considering our opinion.

Yours faithfully,

Read the whole letter and signants here