The Azambuja Parish Council announced, in a post published this Wednesday on social networks, that in the events it organizes, it will “take into account the choice of artists whether they demonstrated against our traditions or not.” Then the call came 240 people signed an open letter They asked to end the broadcast of the bullfight on RTP. Speaking to P toBLICO, Chairman Ines Lorou defends the decision, dismissing it as censorship and leaving a question: “If I sign a proposal to end this type of performance, what does it mean, as an artist, to go to perform at these parties?”
Signed by musicians such as Adolfo Luxúria Canibal, Pedro Abrunhosa or Ana Bacalhau, by actresses such as Rita Blanco and Eunice Muñoz, by writer Dulce Maria Cardoso or conductor António Victorino d’AlmeidaAmong other things, the open letter was released on Monday. Addressing the Minister of Finance, Joao Liao, and the Minister of State for Cinema, Audio-Visual Media and Information, Nuno Artur Silva, they expressed their desire to watch bullfighting at RTP, in order to “finally have public television free from broadcasting of programs based on violence against animals and the normalization of such Behaviours, for example, occur in bullfighting.”
In the wake of the position taken by the Azambuja Parish Council, humorist Nuno Markle, one of the subscribers to the open letter, wrote on his Facebook account that “an artist who has an opinion against bullfighting deserves to be blacklisted in Azambuja.” Diogo Farrow, also a comedian and also subscribed to the letter, wrote at the beginning of a long post on the same social network, “To let you know that PIDE no longer exists, in case you hadn’t realized it.” Later, he justified his decision to subscribe to the letter in this way. “I won’t even go into the stage of civilization we are still in, which not only allows bullfighting to continue to exist, but also to have people who take pleasure in torturing—and seeing torture—animals. But the fact that this is still a ‘scene’ backed by money from all taxpayers It is as ridiculous as it is embarrassing for the country.”
Ines Lorou says she is surprised by the effect that the Facebook post has had for the parish council she chairs, in the meantime, as she justifies it, because it generates “a civil war between Taurus and anti-Taurus, low-level language, which still ends in criminal complaints.” Ines Lorou rejects accusations of censorship – “What she said is that [os artistas serem anti-touradas] It would be a standard to be taken into account”—and puts the decision in context. The Azambuja Diocese organizes “one big party a year” only in September, in honor of the parish saint, Nossa Senhora da Asunção (the parish’s annual budget, he says, does not allow for the appointment of artists over the course of year). He points out that the main components are “religion and bullfighting.” During the festival, there is a place, among other activities, for blessing the cattle, for the beginning and racing of the bull. “There are our traditions, the religious component associated with bullfighting and concerts is a fun moment to extend the party into later”.
Noting that the organization of the festival is guaranteed, in addition to the parish council, by the Poisada do Campino association, in defense of bullfighting culture, and by the diocese of Azambuja, Inês Louro asserts that the decision expressed is “not radical”: “The truth will be taken into account.” [de um artista ser anti-tourada], which will be reflected and discussed with our partners.” He insists on the question: “Which artist who signed the open letter would want to participate in this party?” Even “for the artist’s personal safety,” he says. Given the importance of the bullfighting tradition in The parish and the region, he points out, “with the commune’s cattle farms, groups of pitchforks and various communities connected to the world of bullfighting” and the economic impact of the two. The two wonderful annual festivals in Azambuja – in addition to, as previously mentioned, the traditionally held Fiera de Mayo – the artists who publicly advocated About the end of the bullfighting they risk being greeted in a hostile manner by fans, warns Ines Lorou.
This year, Inês Loro expects it, given epidemic situationIt is not possible to celebrate the feasts of Our Lady. The President of Azambuja Diocese, elected by the Socialist Party, and from which she has left during the current period, will be a candidate for Azambuja City Council, by Shiga, in the upcoming municipal elections. When asked if she would maintain an attitude of “taking into account” the position of anti-bullfighting artists when hiring for shows promoted by the Chamber, if elected mayor, she told PÚBLICO: “If she is elected, I hope, no one will play with the cultural identity of my county.”
Shirley Farmer is a contributor to Brytfmonline.com, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. With an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessibility, Shirley writes stories that provide useful information and meaningful context, making complex topics easier to understand for a broad audience.