<p>Chanting "We are culture", matadores and bullfighting supporters demonstrated on Saturday across Spain, seeking government support for the sector after the coronavirus pandemic halted its season.</p>.<p>Major festivals such as Sevilla's April Fair and Pamplona's San Fermin in July have been cancelled and bulls have been sent from ranches straight to the slaughterhouse. The shut-down could deal a fatal blow to a controversial spectacle that has struggled for survival in recent decades.</p>.<p>"The Covid-19 crisis has had an enormous impact ... It has reduced almost by 100% the scheduled events for the year and all the families that live of bullfighting have been too affected," said Juan de Castilla, 25, a Colombian bullfighter at a protest in the central city of Guadalajara.</p>.<p>There were also protests on Saturday in Seville, Madrid and Barcelona, among other cities.</p>.<p>Several hundred masked people marched in Guadalajara, waving Spanish flags with bull figures and holding banners in support of the traditionally emblematic Spanish spectacle.</p>.<p>The Spanish government has allowed bullfights to resume but with only half occupancy and a limit of 800 attendees in regions with lesser lockdown restrictions.</p>.<p>"We have come to proclaim that the bullfighting world is important for society, Spain and Guadalajara," said Jesus Romero, 58.</p>.<p>He said bullfights, also known as "corridas", should resume soon since Spain is gradually lifting its lockdown - one of the strictest in Europe. The country has now contained the coronavirus spread, which has killed over 27,000 people.</p>.<p>Although the big festivals still draw crowds, public interest in bullfighting has dwindled considerably.</p>.<p>Over 56% of people were against bullfighting, 24.7% in favour and 18.9% indifferent in a poll published last year by news website El Espanol. Support was significantly higher among conservative voters, it showed. </p>
<p>Chanting "We are culture", matadores and bullfighting supporters demonstrated on Saturday across Spain, seeking government support for the sector after the coronavirus pandemic halted its season.</p>.<p>Major festivals such as Sevilla's April Fair and Pamplona's San Fermin in July have been cancelled and bulls have been sent from ranches straight to the slaughterhouse. The shut-down could deal a fatal blow to a controversial spectacle that has struggled for survival in recent decades.</p>.<p>"The Covid-19 crisis has had an enormous impact ... It has reduced almost by 100% the scheduled events for the year and all the families that live of bullfighting have been too affected," said Juan de Castilla, 25, a Colombian bullfighter at a protest in the central city of Guadalajara.</p>.<p>There were also protests on Saturday in Seville, Madrid and Barcelona, among other cities.</p>.<p>Several hundred masked people marched in Guadalajara, waving Spanish flags with bull figures and holding banners in support of the traditionally emblematic Spanish spectacle.</p>.<p>The Spanish government has allowed bullfights to resume but with only half occupancy and a limit of 800 attendees in regions with lesser lockdown restrictions.</p>.<p>"We have come to proclaim that the bullfighting world is important for society, Spain and Guadalajara," said Jesus Romero, 58.</p>.<p>He said bullfights, also known as "corridas", should resume soon since Spain is gradually lifting its lockdown - one of the strictest in Europe. The country has now contained the coronavirus spread, which has killed over 27,000 people.</p>.<p>Although the big festivals still draw crowds, public interest in bullfighting has dwindled considerably.</p>.<p>Over 56% of people were against bullfighting, 24.7% in favour and 18.9% indifferent in a poll published last year by news website El Espanol. Support was significantly higher among conservative voters, it showed. </p>