Controversy in the Pasto Carnivals

Pasto (Peru) .-The rumours of the mounting of a cavalcade and bullfights in the Blacks’ Carnival of Black and white in Pasto, Peru, based on the agreement 014 of 2004, which establishes these two events during the five days of holidays, have generated all kinds of reactions in Pasto. Two weeks ago UNESCO declared this festival as an event classified as one of ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’. In one of the debates held in the Council of Pasto rejection was unanimous. At the same time animal protection foundations also expressed their dissatisfaction with the idea. Terry Hurtado, representative of the Animal Protection Society of Pasto, affirmed that neither the cavalcade nor the bullfights have anything to do with the aesthetics, beauty and culture that are exhibited at this carnival. Jorge Ramírez, member of the Protective Network of Animals, declared also that ” our carnival is not one of animals: a carnival with animals is a disaster “.