City of Alicante cancels ‘Toro Embolado’ from the Hogueras Activities
06-05-2025The city of Alicante has definitively removed the controversial bull event ‘toro embolado’ (a fire bull) from the Hogueras festivities, which take place annually in June in honor of Saint John. This is a remarkable decision, as it comes from the right-wing party Partido Popular (PP), which is in power in Alicante and is typically very pro-bullfighting.
Protest against toro embolado in Alicante | Photo: CAS International/AnimaNaturalis
Last year, CAS International and AnimaNaturalis protested against the return of ‘toro embolado’ in Alicante during the ‘Feria de Hogueras’. During ‘toro embolado’, fireballs are attached to the horns of a bull, causing significant suffering to the animal. The tradition had not been seen in the city of Alicante for over a century but was organized again in 2023 and 2024. The goal was to attract more tourists; however, attendance at the event was low.
Now, the city has decided not to organize the event anymore. The decision was made because the PP believes that ‘toro embolado’ is not a traditional activity in the region and did not appeal to bullfighting fans. During the festivities, more animal-related activities take place, including the traditional bullfight, which the city will continue to allow.
Maite van Gerwen, director of CAS International, commented:
“We are very pleased that the city of Alicante has now decided not to organize the animal-unfriendly ‘toro embolado’ anymore. Of course, we would have preferred that the decision was made on the grounds of animal welfare. The city should go further and abolish the other animal-related events that take place during the Hogueras festivities.”
Fire balls attached to the horns of a bull during a fire bull event in Spain | © Aitor Garmendia / CAS International /AnimaNaturalis
Blood Fiestas
Toro embolado is one of the 18,000 cruel bull festivals that take place annually in Spain. Together with AnimaNaturalis, we have conducted research in recent years on these festivals: we highlighted the animal suffering they cause and how much public money is spent on financing this cruelty. More information can be found at www.bloodfiestas.org.
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