The Official State Gazette on Friday reformed the regulation of the National Awards by eliminating the National Award for Bullfighting. The change reflects a shift to align the National Awards with the evolving landscape of culture and creativity and with social expectations, as noted in the regulatory text.
The modification appears in the BOE, which updates the Order of June 22, 1995, governing the National Awards of the Ministry of Culture. These awards are announced annually and specify the fundamental rules guiding their operation.
The document argues that various circumstances warrant amending the aforementioned order to abolish the National Award for Bullfighting. It justifies this decision by pointing to the need to adapt the National Awards to how the cultural and creative sectors have evolved in response to social demands.
The text adds that public sentiment and the overall view of bullfighting have shifted, influencing people’s values, traditions, and perceptions.
In this regard, the Department of Culture notes clear evidence that some activities linked to bullfighting or certain elements of those activities are rejected by broad segments of society as an unacceptable form of animal violence.
Although the order does not explicitly endorse that view, it acknowledges its existence and considers it prudent to redeploy the honorific and celebratory nature of the National Awards toward other disciplines on which there is broader social consensus, avoiding a polarized debate about the essence of the awards themselves. For this reason, the National Award for Bullfighting is slated for removal.
It is noted that this accolade, together with the Fine Arts Medal for Bullfighting, was eliminated on May 3 by the Minister of Culture, a decision that sparked controversy. The National Award for Bullfighting was created in 2011 during the government led by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and has been a focal point of intense debate since its inception.
In June, the Culture Committee of the Congress considered a non-binding proposal from the PP to restore and retain the badge, but the proposal was rejected with 20 votes against and 17 in favor.
Beyond the bullfighting sector itself, regional presidents, including Isabel Díaz Ayuso of Madrid (PP) and Emiliano García-Page of Castilla-La Mancha (PSOE), publicly opposed the suppression at the time.
In sum, cultural authorities emphasize that the move aims to reflect evolving social attitudes toward animal welfare and cultural values, while reaffirming the government’s intent to preserve the integrity and relevance of national recognition by channeling it toward areas with broad consensus and constructive impact on the arts and culture landscape. This shift is presented as part of a broader modernization effort within state-supported honors, seeking continuity with contemporary civic values while avoiding contentious debates that polarize public opinion.