Date Published: 23/04/2024

Bye bye bullfights: Transforming Murcia bullring into a library and social-cultural hub

A proposal aims to repurpose the controversial Murcia building into a useful public space

The Franz Weber Foundation (FFW), an organisation that carries out projects to protect nature and animals, has this week suggested that Murcia City Council convert the city's historic bullring, the Plaza de Toros, into a thriving library and multi-purpose socio-cultural hub.

To pay for the transformation, FFW has recommended requesting 1% of the cultural fund allocated annually by Spain's Ministry of Culture, which is aimed at infrastructure revitalisation initiatives. Their long-term goal includes establishing a Consortium of Sociocultural Uses, involving collaboration between the regional government and other relevant entities.

In recent times, numerous cities around the world have repurposed their bullrings for alternative uses, ranging from commercial spaces to tourist accommodation, so Murcia's potential shift is in no way unprecedented. On the contrary, FFW believes the plan "could find very good results in the medium term and attract private funds."

According to the FFW, "the position of the Murcia City Council in supporting bullfighting is to generate a bottomless pit for public money."

Abandoning its controversial past, the transformed Murcia bullring would retain architectural significance yet cater to everyday needs, providing essential services like reading and book-borrowing areas along with hosting concerts, theatre productions and sports competitions.

This summer, the Murcia bullring will host live concerts from Tom Jones, Take That and more as part of the Murcia On festival.

In other news: Region of Murcia put on high alert for forest fires

Image: Seabasgs via Wikimedia Commons

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