Controversy surrounds Fornalutx bull run

PALMA
FORNALUTX yesterday celebrated the annual Baixada del Bou bull run through the village as part of its fiestas.
The morning was marked by protesters calling for the event to be scrapped because of the abuse suffered by the bulls every year. The Ciudadanos-Partido de la Cuidadania also slammed the bull run as being out of date and unacceptable in a “modern, free and advanced society”.

However, the bull run went ahead as usual at 8am with the whole village out in force to take part in the event.
The build up to the bull run starts when the bull, with ropes around its head and neck, is dragged by a group of youngsters into the main square where a reveler dressed as a farmer places a crown of flowers on the animal's head.

That marks the start of the bull run in earnest when the animal is allowed to run through the streets of the village until it is killed and butchered with the meat divided between members of the fiesta association.

The event also attracts a great deal of interest from curious foreign residents and holiday makers unaccustomed to such traditions.