Glastonbury Bullring

[Mardy]

Maybe you could also start a petition to ban Strictly Come Dancing from the TV. I can think of many reasons personally but this could be yours:

The Pasodoble dance is based on music played at bullfights during the bullfighters' entrance (paseo) or during the passes (faena) just before the kill. The leader of this dance plays the part of the matador. The follower generally plays the part of the matador's cape, but can also represent the shadow of the matador, as well as the bull or a flamenco dancer in some figures. Its origin dates back to a French military march with the name “Paso Redoble.” This was a fast paced march, which is why this is a fast-paced Latin American dance modeled after the Spanish bull fight. Bull fighting was well-known around this time.

[VeeDub]

Honestly, this thread is just getting ridiculous.

- Nobody has seen the arena, so why on earth are some of you getting so uptight and sitting up on your high horses about this and that?

As with most debates like this, it can more often than not come down to common sense, which some people on here seem to be lacking. Would Glastonbury realistically promote real life bullfighting? No. Is it more likely that it is trying to promote a foreign culture? You know what, I think it might!

At the end of the day, it is another arena in an essentially massive festival. Not everyone is required to go to every part of it. If you have a problem with there being a 'bullring' then just don't go there. I really do not understand why this debate is happening on here, especially when its all speculation. Its a f**king festival you know, chill out! Talk about people worrying for the sake of worrying, and arguing for the sake of arguing!

[Wirephil]

No, you see, what you've done there is think that something very very closely connected is the same as something very very far removed.

[Wirephil]

No, you see, what you've done there is think that something very very closely connected is the same as something very very far removed.

[Mardy]

Yeah, maybe you're right. I think I should see it, yeah fair point. I shall reserve judgement until I've seen it.

But for the 'if you don't like it, don't go', well. I'm not having that. If something is wrong, well fight against it, don't just shrug and walk aware/ignore it. That's a dangerous way to think.

[Mardy]

and you draw the line where? Surely the best place would be between reality and simulation?

[essex_jim]

This whole thing is political correctness gone mad!

[Mardy]

This whole thing is political correctness gone mad!

[Morse Code]

This whole thing is political correctness gone mad!

[Mardy]

Ah trot out the old cliches eh? Loony left, political correctness gone mad, can't even put on a nativity play these days etc etc.

Yes that's what it is. I'm a politically correct loony leftist because I suggested I was uncomfortable with a tribute to animal torture. My apologies for imposing my radical views on you!

[neil999]

this has got out of hand...but,as far as i can see this thread stemmed from people being worried about a bullring being at glasto and possibly celebrating/condoning bullfighting

people then discussed it on a forum, which is what forums are for..

[DeanoL]

Thing is, there are fair arguments on both sides.

For most of us, this is just some harmless fun and we don't see it as encouraging real bull fighting.

But then for some other people bull fighting is a big issue for them, and that's fine, that's okay, and I can see why this would make you a little uncomfortable. Unless it's openly mocking bull fighting then there is an issue. It's a small one, but yes, having any sort of bull fighting, even faked, claimed as representative of a culture, runs the risk of normalising it. We should probably be appalled at the very idea, whereas instead it's "yeah, this happens, it's part of the culture".

It's much like when comedians use racial or sexual stereotypes in jokes. They don't actually believe that they are true, they're probably hugely against the negative ones, but at the same time, it's a handy shorthand for some jokes so they get used. And even though the comics don't believe the stereotypes to be true, by repeating them they re-enforce them rather than letting them die out.

But they use them nontheless because for most people it's worth it.

What some people unfortunately have to realise, is that if they're against bull fighting to the point of not wanting it depicted in any way, shape or form: on screen, in novels, in fun little mechanical bull rings at Glastonbury, then they are in a minority. Which is fine, it's good, stand up for what you believe in, and maybe even write to Eavis and point out it makes you a bit uncomfortable and is he sure he has thought this through?

But please, please, don't transpose your beliefs to the festival as a whole. Don't assume that because politically the festival is pretty left-wing, and supports environmental charities, just like you and just like you do, that it also reflects your morals and ethics in every area. If you do that, you are always bound to be disappointed. Because it's not your festival, and it's not made specifically for you. When you say "this doesn't belong at Glastonbury" you are saying "this doesn't belong in the arbitrary vision of Glastonbury I've created in my head".

And saying something should be banned just because of the message it might give off (which certainly isn't "bull fighting is okay" and at worst is "bull fighting happens in Portugal") you start making yourself the Glastonbury censor.

I personally find Greenpeace make me sort of uncomfortable. I support their aims in theory but I find their methods somewhat objectionable. That's just me. I know a lot of people don't agree. And I see them at Glastonbury and I don't mind. I won't donate either but I'm not going to say that they shouldn't be there.

To those attacking the people who are speaking out against this: understand that it's not idiotic or stupid to oppose it. When certain things mean enough to you, even the smallest things can make you uneasy. But to those who are made uneasy by this, try and understand that for most people it isn't an issue, and you should ask yourself how strongly you think you should be imposing your will on the festival.

Peace.

[Spindles]

I loved that Stuart Lee clip.

I also agree that a forum is the correct place for healthy debate and discussion.

I do not understand the link between being opposed to animal cruelty and having left wing politics. Does this mean all people with right wing political views like killing kittens? Seems to have as much logic to me. By that scale I reckon the BNP like to sodomise sealions and the EDL, well...the EDL are cnuts.

Sorry, it hasn't exactly got out of hand, but there are some ridiculous arguments and statements being thrown around. A few people think that this glamorises cruel sports, others disagree, I doubt either is likely to be massively convinced of the other's view. I'm sure we'll all form our own opinions as time goes by.

[BlackHole2006]

Christ, this thread is a load of BULL!

[duggie20]

Oh my God? Really? You think this?

As we are now really 'one Europe', damned right I'll poke my nose into it. Culture is well and good, I love culture. Barbaric torture I f ucking hate. There is absolutely nothing cultured about a cowardly man with his red cape torturing an already heavily injured animal in front of a baying crowd. Thankfully, those baying crowds are shrinking. I am genuinely disgusted with your view.

[budvar]

An interesting debate.

I must confess to a certain unease with any link between Glasto and bull-fighting. That said I have utter faith in ME's judgment. Bringing over a bullfighter is an interesting move. Not sure I'll watch that but I will visit the arena.

As for Glasto spending money on things that people don't like, I'm afraid that's just inevitable. Many people here aren't keen on the TX Security teams; others dislike dance music; I find Primal Scream offensively bad... I still choose to buy a ticket. Maybe the day will come where GFL announce something that I'm so against I will refuse to; I doubt it though.

Finally, some of the complaining I've read in this thread reminds me of this sign from 2004...

http://www.urban75.org/photos/glasto/glasto012.html

(sorry, despite 7 years of skulking about on here posting pics is beyond me)

Edited April 8, 2011 by budvar

[Migraine]

Some of the people replying in this thread need to learn to attack a persons view and not the person. If someone does not hold the same beliefs as you it does not make them less inteligent or more small minded than what you are.

[cejx]

[sime]

If any of you enjoy a nice cold Corona, Budweiser or Coca Cola this weekend, bare in mind that they and many other companies support and in some cases indorse Bull fighting.

[Staberinde]

It's all going to be done as part of a fun atmosphere. I don't think for a second it will be advocating Bull Fighting it's self.

Link to official blurb

[the real new messiah]

[p.pete]

How do people think the tomato fights will work? I've seen videos of the mayhem of large ones in Spain but will this be a day or a night thing? Will you be given a bag of tomatoes as you enter, will they be pre softened in any way (I'm a wuss!). This could be awesome!

<edit> looking again at some videos on youtube the tomatoes seem to come from the back of a truck (so maybe the milk truck! haha, I've no idea), and seem to be almost in a sludge form...

</edit>

Edited April 9, 2011 by p.pete

[denwyn]

Whats it all about....Looks another load of bollocks to me...Who comes up with these bloody ideas ??

[Staberinde]

Whats it all about....Looks another load of bollocks to me...Who comes up with these bloody ideas ??

Edited April 9, 2011 by Staberinde

[DeadAmos]

Whats it all about....Looks another load of bollocks to me...Who comes up with these bloody ideas ??