Feria de Nîmes: excess triumphalism harms the health of bullfighting

Juan Leal and Solal opened the Porte des Consuls for the closing bullfight. Midi Libre – MIKAEL ANISSET

Juan Leal a ouvert sa 7e Porte des Consuls Midi Libre – MIKAEL ANISSET

Solal a livré une prestation prometteuse pour l'avenir. Midi Libre – MIKAEL ANISSET

Fernando Adrian cut two ears off his second toro. Midi Libre – MIKAEL ANISSET

Nine ears were awarded for the closing bullfight with four for Juan Leal and three for Solal, who opened the Porte des Consuls, and two for Fernando Adrian. Very excessive. Once again, attendance was good and four Virgen Maria toros demonstrated great qualities on the track.

French bullfighting and Nîmes are reliving a golden period which seemed unimaginable on the eve of Covid. The bill banning bullfighting re-mobilized aficionados and interested a new audience and Nîmes experienced attendance worthy of the 90s for this Pentecost Feria. We must capitalize on this enthusiasm to find a rigor worthy of a first-class arena.

Unjustified second ears

For this closing bullfight of the Feria de Pentecost, Virgen Maria's lot was well presented and four bulls showed qualities of nobility which allowed the three maestros to express themselves. But attributing nine ears for such a bullfight is very excessive. Five or six would already have been a generous result. The second ears to the last three bulls were most unjustified and whistled by many aficionados. Certainly, a majority of the public requested them but it must be remembered that the second trophy is solely the responsibility of the president. And his duty would have been to go against the vox populi.

This is essential to educate this new audience, or those returning, to the arenas. Because in bullfighting, the success of a bullfight does not come down to an unreasonable multiplication of trophies. The amphitheater is a unique setting in the world which was filled four times during the feria, Nîmes is the most prestigious arena in France but these excesses of triumphalism are more reminiscent of an Augustian bullfight in Marbella with stands full of tourists, rather than a first category arena. Organizers and the City of Nîmes must understand that the multiplication of triumphs is not the main barometer of a Feria and the presidencies in Nîmes must once again become a subject of urgent current affairs.

The confirmation of Fernando Adrian

Let's return to this lot from Virgen Maria composed of four bulls of good grades.

Fernando Adrian confirmed his alternative by claiming his intentions from the cape salute with four largas afarolladason your knees. After a tercio of regulatory spades and without punishing the toro, like most of the following ones, the Virgen Maria proved dangerous by systematically targeting the maestro on each pass. The Madrilenian abbreviates the faena and concludes with a skillful sword.

His second toro had beautiful qualities of nobility and responsibility in his charges. The series on the right bank were not completely successful with numerous muleta clashes and the best of the faena was the two series of natural perfectly chiseled . The finale stuck to the horns was as committed as it was messy and a large sword offered him two generous ears.

7th Porte des Consuls for Juan Leal

After having preserved his first opponent on horseback. The Arlesian made an explosive start to a faena on his knees in the center of the ruedo before performing a faena on both horns, offering distance to the toro to express his nobility. Thus, Juan Leal took advantage of his inertia to preserve the limited forces of Virgen Maria and draw deep passes. Best on the left horn. A sword engaged but off-center caused the two handkerchiefs to fall from the palco.

His second opponent was endowed with great qualities of nobility and promptitude and the Arlesian composed an essentially right-handed faena. In the final part, he collected the majority of votes in close toreo sequences, like against the previous toro, before concluding with a large sword.

Solal’s promises

Finally, Solal was making his second paseo as a bullfighter in his bullring for a vital meeting for his future because only two bullfights appear on his agenda 2 024. The Nîmes showed himself to be varied with the cape and communicated with his audience during the two good tercios banderillas. He tore the 3rd toro with great gentleness and elegance while managing to conserve his strength. He shone during the natural series even if the maestro seemed reserved at times. A tapped sword offered him a first trophy.

The Nîmes proved a lot against the violent and impossible Fernay reserve toro on the left horn. Through commitment, patience and power, he managed to pull three very meritorious right-handed series at the end of the faena. the future. Solal then played his life with a sword and his audience wanted to take him out through the Porte des Consuls by awarding him two ears.

The bullfight file

Arènes de N&icir;mes.

5 000 spectators.

Toros de Virgen Maria. The 6 bis of Fernay.

Juan Leal: two ears and two ears after his opinions.

Fernando Adrian: silence and two ears.

Solal: ear and two ears.