At the Saint-Gilles arenas, six ears rewarded the matadors of the day

Une “trinchera dessinée par Christian Parejo. M. L. – Mikael Anisset

Right hand low, Solal chisels a “derechazo” M. L. – Mikael Anisset

All the decision of El Rafi in the look and the expression. M. L. – Mikael Anisset

For the first of the two bullfights of the feria, Christian Parejo cut three ears, Solal two, while El Rafi also obtained a trophy.

Arènes de Saint-Gilles: inaugural bullfight of the feria.

Time: clear sky then overcast.

Entrance: 2/3 of the arena.

Duration: 2 hours 35 minutes.

Livestock: bulls from the ganaderia Blohorn.

Vueltas: the fifth and sixth bulls were honored with a posthumous vuelta.

El Rafi (naiad shoulder and gold): one ear and salutes.

Christian Parejo (Minervois wine and gold): two ears and one ear.

Solal (summer night on the canal de la Fontaine et or): a notice with greetings and two ears.

Named  "Provençal bullfighting", the first Spanish bullfighting event of the Saint-Gilles fair allowed the three young matadors invited to leave the arenas with trophies. While some white or blue handkerchiefs (for the awards or the posthumous laps of the bullring) may have raised questions about their real value, the investment of the bullfighters was not discussed throughout the fights of this inaugural day.

The potential expressed by El Rafi

Faced with a livestock from the French Blohorn breeding, carefully presented for an arena of the category of Saint-Gilles, the residents of the ganaderia expressed diverse temperaments, giving the three guests at the paseo the opportunity to assert their technique or their recourse. Chef de lidia of the afternoon, El Rafi, in a first faena in front of an opponent with unequal charges composed a pleasantly drawn faena, but without being able to transmit much emotion. In his next fight, first through the variety of his cape repertoire, then through the energy delivered throughout the muleta series, with fluid naturals and constant application, the maestro showed his potential.

The dynamics and ardor of Christian Parejo

For Christian Parejo, another brilliant day signed on the same track after a valiant demonstration offered during his novillero course. This time, even if the end of his last faena had a somewhat disjointed physiognomy, his fights, conducted with firmness, with muleta passes that had body and structure, are to be commended. On both sides, there is plenty of dynamism and ardour to spare.

Solal's aplomb and merit

Solal wrote these qualities with a decision and a flame that must be acknowledged. Very effective and vibrant with banderillas, the young matador, mainly in his last fight, despite sometimes disorderly phases, showed aplomb and merit, a character and a responsibility that were particularly palpable.