The Generalitat Valenciana has publicly denounced a controversial poster used during recent bullfighting festivities in Sagunto (Valencia). Created by a local peña taurina and titled ‘Un forat es un forat’ (‘A hole is a hole’), the image showed a bull sexually dominating a naked woman. Authorities called the poster degrading and unacceptable, saying such representations have no place in a society striving for gender equality.
The regional government’s Directorate General for Equality issued a statement rejecting depictions that demean or objectify women, including by ridiculing them. Officials stressed that, despite progress on gender equality, normalizing or excusing sexist stereotypes undermines those gains. The administration called for vigilance to prevent similar incidents at public events.
Spain’s Organic Law 3/2007 on the effective equality of women and men and Valencian Law 9/2003 on equality between women and men form part of the legal structure for gender equality. The Sagunto controversy has also prompted calls to examine how those principles are reflected in local events and public life.
Sagunto’s city council said the poster is no longer on display. It appeared during the town’s recent peña-organized festivities, which ended on the 29th. The image was also printed on T-shirts and other items distributed at the event. Local authorities clarified that the controversial logo was not part of any ongoing celebration.
The Feminist Coordinator of Camp de Morvedre sharply criticized the initiative, arguing that humor at the expense of women’s dignity should not be tolerated. The group demanded that the city account for its event-permit decisions and use of public funds, including what municipal festivities promote. In its statement, the collective said the image had been displayed openly in public spaces without intervention from those in power.
Feminist activists distinguished the issue from criminal sexual aggression, focusing instead on the normalization of degrading imagery under the guise of tradition or humor. They warned that such depictions perpetuate harmful stereotypes and called on local leaders to take a clear position on public resources being used for events with sexist content.
The group also questioned whether the peña responsible for the poster receives municipal subsidies or other forms of support. It insisted that women’s dignity should not be up for debate, during festivals or at any other time. The statement urged authorities to recognize and address the persistent problem of sexism in local celebrations.
The incident comes amid broader scrutiny of public events and their impact on social values in Spain. Recent controversies, including debate over the demolition of Valencia’s Mestalla stadium and its effect on urban identity, have brought attention to community standards and the role of local institutions. For example, the dismantling of a major bank robbery gang across eight provinces, as reported in a recent operation by the Guardia Civil, also reflects ongoing attention to public safety and accountability in the region.
In Spain, festivals and local traditions often reflect deep-rooted cultural practices, but they are increasingly subject to public debate over equality and respect. The Sagunto case shows the tension between maintaining tradition and upholding modern standards of dignity and inclusion. As scrutiny grows, authorities and civic groups are likely to face continued pressure to ensure public celebrations align with developing social values and legal norms.
