ABOUT
SOKAMUTURRA EZ
The idea of Sokamuturra Ez arose thanks to the residents of Getxo committed to animal welfare.
TRANSFORMING GETXO'S FESTIVALS INTO
RESPECTFUL CELEBRATIONS
At first, the political parties failed to respond. In October 2024, 350 signatures were collected in 15 days and the support of local veterinary clinics, businesses and establishments was obtained. Alternatives were put forward, such as sports activities or an animal-free version of the event.
For 2025, an animal-free activity has been proposed e.g. a vertical pole without heifers, or a sporting activity.
sokamuturra ez
A MOVEMENT TO RESPECT ANIMALS
Although many seek change, it was discovered that many people are unaware that this event still takes place in Getxo. On 31st October 2024, a proposal was presented to the Town Council, but the response was disappointing, as the existing regulations were fulfilled and it was suggested that we should talk to the festivities committee.
It has been put forward to the Mayoress of Getxo that the new municipal ordinance on animals, which is now being drafted, should include a ban on the use of animals in Getxo’s festivities. It was decided to keep up the fight and the Sokamuturra Ez platform to was set up to raise visibility and awareness.
Sokamuturra Ez represents those who seek to transform festivals into celebrations that respect all living beings.
Inspired by other municipalities that have already taken the step, we are confident that Getxo can also lead this change.
CHRONOLOGY OF THE FIGHT AGAINST SOKAMUTURRA IN GETXO
ORIGINS OF THE INITIATIVE
A group of residents started to mobilise against Sokamuturra in Getxo.
First informal contact with relevant people in the Town Council to ask for an animal friendly event.
May 2024
ORIGINS OF THE INITIATIVE
First public actions
Contact with well-known people who have championed this cause in the past.
Publication of an open letter to the Old Port of Algorta Festivities Commission on social media, which was very well received.
Letters were sent to all political parties requesting the elimination of the Sokamuturra (without any immediate response). Publication of an article in Berria and dissemination on social media.
August 2024
First public actions
Sokamuturra Day
Sokamuturra took place with a significant delay despite the extreme heat to which the heifers were subjected inside a lorry in the sun.
On 12th August, a letter was sent denouncing the conditions.
On 16th August, PNV responded by saying that the activity complies with the regulations, which is questioned on ethical grounds.
11th August 2024
Sokamuturra Day
Lobbying and collection of signatures
3rd-6th October: It is proposed that parties submit proposals or monitions banning the funding of animal shows.
30th October: 350 signatures were collected with the support of veterinary clinics, local businesses and establishments. Podemos and Bildu commenced internal talks on the possible elimination of the Sokamuturra.
A survey was launched on Instagram showing majority support for the elimination of this activity.
Dissemination of the collection of signatures in the written press, radio and television.
October 2024
Lobbying and collection of signatures
Expansion and media impact
7th November: Visibility strategies are commenced with a website and social media.
11th November: Intervention in the Town Council’s Plenary Session, which generated media coverage. The Mayoress responded by alluding to the regulations and the need for dialogue with the Festivities Committee.
November 2024
Expansion and media impact
Increased public support
10th December: Launch of a petition on Change.org.
12th December: 509 signatures are registered in Getxo and the petition exceeds 5,600 signatures in total.
December 2024
Increased public support
Social Media and first dialogues
The first posts on social media (Instagram and Facebook) were launched, boosting the visibility of the movement and increasing its number of followers.
Informal meeting with a leading member of the Festivities Commission, who defends the show but admits that the final decision lies with the Town Council.
January 2025
Social Media and first dialogues
Resilience and local support
3rd February: Meeting with the Mayoress of Getxo and the Councillor for Culture, who argues that the Sokamuturra is based on the regulations for traditional bullfighting events, which excludes heifers from the animal welfare law in the Basque Country.
The Mayoress acknowledges that dialogue with different parties would be necessary, but does not set a specific date nor does she commit to a change in the short term.
5th February: The first 17 posters were put up in local shops and bars, showing the community's support. Posters continue to be put up and more and more shops are agreeing to be signature points.
Signatures continue to be collected in the streets, with majority acceptance in Algorta.
Many traditional bars in the village have agreed to put up posters of support.
9th February: The press has reported that heifers are being slaughtered due to an outbreak of bovine tuberculosis, a disease that has been eradicated in the Basque Country since 2022, which is even more worrying.
18th February: We have already collected around 700 signatures in clinics, shops and on the streets of Getxo. 5,800 on the on-line change.org platform
February 2025
Resilience and local support
tensions due to the lack of institutional dialogue
March 27 – Intervention in the Municipal Plenary Session:
It is publicly denounced that the commitment to open a dialogue table, made on January 29, has not been fulfilled. Furthermore, the mayor is held responsible for the climate of polarization and the suffering it has generated.
March 28 – Letter from the Mayor:
The mayor responds in writing before the plenary session, without having heard what was raised. In her letter, she claims to be "working" on the meeting, but without offering a date or specific commitment.
March 2025
Tensions due to the lack of institutional dialogue
Resilience and local support
We completed the in-person signature collection (more than 1,500) and replaced signs in bars due to vandalism. We sent two emails to the mayor's office requesting a meeting. She never responded.
April 2025
Resilience and local support
Progress and obstacles in institutional dialogue
May 9: A letter is filed denouncing the institutional silence on previous requests.
May 20: Meeting with EH Bildu, where the inconsistency of drafting an ordinance against animal abuse without banning festivals involving animals is pointed out. EH Bildu encourages citizens to submit objections.
May 21: Participation in the Culture Committee of the Getxo City Council (Santa Clara Palace), without the presence of the titular councilor.
- The collection of 9,000 signatures is presented.
- The lack of institutional response is reported (2 registered letters + 2 emails).
- We demand to be heard as concerned neighbors without financial interests, with veterinary and citizen support.
- It is emphasized that institutional silence is a form of active invisibility, and it is expressly requested that the movement not be silenced further.
- The committee president states that "Sokamuturra is not animal abuse" and blocks the debate, preventing the other parties from speaking.
- EH Bildu and Podemos were surprised to discover that those who participated had been banned from speaking.
May 2025
Progress and obstacles in institutional dialogue
Formal complaint and failure to assume responsibility
June 2:
An Administrative Complaint is filed for animal abuse and inadequate conditions (extreme heat, lack of water, tuberculosis outbreak in 2024, regulatory and administrative non-compliance).
June 26:
The official response from the City Council arrives, not denying the facts but shifting responsibility to the Basque Government.
Besides:
-It is reported that Santurtzi has approved an ordinance prohibiting Sokamuturra.
- This information is being shared with representatives of the PNV (Nationalist Party of Catalonia), EH Bildu, and Podemos, noting that a similar ordinance was proposed in Getxo in October 2024 without a response.
- Podemos is the only party that has shown sensitivity to the cause so far.
June 2025
Formal complaint and failure to assume responsibility
Progress and obstacles in institutional dialogue
July 7:
The City Council publishes the official festival program, including the Sokamuturra, without informing the association in advance. This provokes sadness and outrage.
July 17:
A peaceful demonstration is called for August 11 at 9:30 AM.
Support is requested from animal rights associations.
Twelve associations and the Basque Federation responded.
July 27:
Formal petitions are submitted:
To the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, reporting irregularities in the transport of the 2024 event.
To the Basque Government, requesting the suspension of the "vertical greased pole with heifers," claiming that it is not a local tradition.
July 31:
A street action is held with the sale of charity T-shirts in a public space.
July 2025
Progress and obstacles in institutional dialogue
Continuation of citizen action
August 3: Street action.
Sale of solidarity T-shirts in public spaces
August 2025
Continuation of citizen action
WE TRUST THAT GETXO WILL NOW CHANGE TO BECOME AN ANIMAL-FREE FESTIVAL IN 2025!
Sokamuturra Ez represents those who seek to transform festivals into animal-friendly celebrations.
Inspired by other municipalities that have already taken the step, we are confident that Getxo can also lead this change.
