BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA: Fans of bullfighting in Bosnia are defiant, despite calls for a ban

Record ID: 375133

  • Title: BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA: Fans of bullfighting in Bosnia are defiant, despite calls for a ban
  • Date: 23rd October 2007
  • Summary: CHILDREN WATCHING BULLS FROM TOP OF FENCE
  • Embargoed: 7th November 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Environment / Natural World
  • Reuters ID: LVADC7HA2GUAF3PMDMR8LZW18KQZ
  • Story Text: Bosnian bull-fighters gather to pit one animal against another, defiant in their opposition to calls for a ban on the sport.
    Despite recent calls by animals rights groups for a ban on bullfighting in Bosnia, hundreds of people gathered to watch a traditional bull-fighting spectacle near Visoko.
    Breeders from all around Bosnia brought their bulls, so it could be decided which of them was the strongest and bravest.
    The most popular breeder in the country is Ilija Grahovac, or "Dragon of Sipovo" as he is known to his fans. Grahovac is adamantly opposed to any ban.

    "As you will see, I have taught this animal to fight, to prove itself in the field of sport and to present itself in public media,"
    Grahovac said when discussing his bull.

    "But it's not easy to teach those animals who became the teachers of others, although they themselves haven't learnt enough. So let them come to me, so that I can ask them. We, the rich farmers want this sport. They want to kill our soul. Those who want to ban this sport are not normal. They should come here to talk to me so that I can explain certain things to them," he added.
    Grahovac is from Sipovo, in Bosnia's Serb Republic. He says that bull owners were the first to begin reconciliation between ethnic groups after Bosnia's war.
    Grahovac's bull faced the local champion 'Sultan' at the tournament in Visoko, and despite the crowd being on Sultan's side, Grahovac's bull took the winning honours. Grahovac has been invited back to compete again next year, but he is worried that there will be a ban in place by then.

    "They want to ban our sport. So let me tell them something. I will say publicly, I will go voluntarily to fight bulls at the Spanish corrida," Grahovac said defiantly.
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