Atmosphere and emotion for the 20th anniversary of the Pepe de Montijo bodega

This Sunday lunchtime, an aperitif tribute to Pepe de Montijo, a figure in the bullfighting world, for the 20th anniversary of the bodega that bears his name.

Sunday noon. The Maxi Fanfare – around twenty happy guys who come from Nîmes, Aigues-Mortes and Meynes – took possession of the Pepe de Montijo bodega with walls covered with posters and souvenir photos. Maxi-Fanfare for a maxi-ambience! "For us, the feria is tradition, music, bullfights and…", laughs Henri behind his dark glasses and his bass drum while holding out his very full cup! And Joe Dassin at the top of his lungs, taken up by the partygoers…

First fair without parents

Behind the bar, José Peris looks at them, in this moment between joy and emotion. "It's the first feria without the parents, it&rsquo ;is quite special",he smiles, delighted to pay tribute to his father, Pepe de Montijo, who left at the age of 93 a few months ago, for the 20th anniversary of the bodega that bears his name. Almost a small museum of bullfighting history to which Pepe de Montijo was intimately linked.

The Maxi-Fanfare set the mood all day long.

For this anniversary, lifelong friends, members of the bullfighting club, aficionados, those who entered on a misunderstanding… everyone toasts and sings happily. "We'll take a break at bullfight time before resuming this evening", says José Peris.

Jean-Charles Roux dedicates his book on Nimeño II.

At the back of the bodega, a little away from the hullabaloo, Jean-Charles Roux dedicates his latest "Nimeño II, a Nîmes in the ’arena& quot; (Number 7 editions). The passion for bullfighting always!