[The Guardian] ‘We could lose our lives at any time’: young matadors in Málaga – a photo essay

‘We could lose our lives at any time’: young matadors in Málaga – a photo essay

The latest recipient of the Joan Wakelin bursary from the Royal Photographic Society, photojournalist Owen Harvey, looks at the complex culture of bullfighting in Spain – a fault line between political camps

Bullfighting is inextricably intertwined with Spanish tradition and history, so much so that in 2013 it was declared part of Spain’s cultural heritage by law. The sport is controversial, however, and opposition to bullfighting is on the increase within Spain. The socialist-led Spanish government excluded bullfighting from a youth culture voucher scheme introduced in 2022 by the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez. The scheme entitles young Spaniards turning 18 to receive €400 (£340) – 50% of which can be spent on cultural events such as exhibitions, plays and films. Earlier this year, the nation’s supreme court ruled that bullfighting should be included in the scheme, citing the 2013 legislation and adding that the “cultural, historical and artistic aspects” of the sport had legal validity.

Trainee bullfighters El Gali, Antonio Fernández Torres de Navarra and Manuel Petersen in Málaga bullring La Malagueta

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