An initiative hailed by human rights organizations but criticized by the professionals concerned. These bullfighters with dwarfism claim to be “artists”.
Spanish parliamentarians on Thursday banned shows presented during bullfights by troupes of people with dwarfism. An initiative hailed by human rights organizations but criticized by the professionals concerned.
These performances, called “dwarf bullfighting”, appeared decades ago to entertain the public at bullfighting encounters. These “dwarf bullfighters”, as they call themselves, disguise themselves as firefighters and chase young bulls without killing, with the aim of making the spectators laugh. They are fewer and fewer and these shows have lost popularity.
Shows “humiliating people with disabilities”
The law approved Thursday prohibits “performances or recreational activities in which persons with disabilities (…) are used to arouse the mockery, ridicule or derision of the public”. It aims to ensure compliance in Spain with European Union directives on discrimination against people with disabilities.
The Royal Disabilities Committee, which advises the Department of Social Rights, said Madrid had “advanced human rights by banning public performances that humiliate people with disabilities”.
“We are artists”
These performances “spread the idea to so many girls and boys who attend these shameful performances with adults that it’s ok to make fun of the difference”, noted Jesus Martin, director general of the organization.
But many of the artists concerned said they felt respected and appreciated, stressing that without these shows their livelihood was threatened. A few demonstrated in front of Parliament ahead of the vote on the law to express their opposition.
“We are bullfighters, we are artists, enough bans, we don’t want alms,” the “Arena Entertainment” troupe wrote on its Facebook page this week.
