The president of the Federation of Taurin Societies in France, Benoît Pliers, had made the trip to Saint-Martin-de-Crau for the 30th edition of the Feria de la Crau. An event he never misses, even less for this anniversary date as he confides in Provence.
What do you think of the La Unica association which has maintained the bullfight for 30 years?
The Unica has an immense merit of having been able to keep their bullfights for all these years and more than that, a feria in their city. We know the difficulties that this represents to organize a Taurin show outside the major current empresas. Offering two shows every year is a challenge and a considerable risk for an association like this, which is often in delicacy with the weather …
Seeing the arenas of Saint-Martin almost full at the time of the Paseo was an immense joy for us aficionados in Los Toros and I hope a great satisfaction and a great relief for the organizers. They deserve it.
How did you find the bullfight of this 30th feria?
This taurine day held all its promises and will have given satisfaction to aficionados who have come in number. In the morning, I found the Novillada and the Novillos very interesting. The high quality of the novillos of the heirs of François André allowed young apprentices to show their capacities but also the long path that remains to be covered to reach the upper level.
In the afternoon, the Toros of Don José Escolar Gil were faithful to their reputation, their clashes, they are demanding, harsh, devious at times but offering the bullfights the possibility of dense fighting and important triumphs. There was toro, perhaps too much for the “terna” of the day which despite their obvious will will not completely impose themselves. But how to blame them when you have so few contracts. Then he took out a “demon” like rarely. An animal that reminds us that bullfight is a combat without frills and that the Toro de Lidia remains a mystery.
A day of “toro” faithful to the identity of the arenas of Saint-Martin. A big thank you to the Unica for allowing us to live these moments.
Can you tell us how the Taurin societies are doing?
It is a group of more than 70 companies that are doing well. Since 2020, I have been at the office with the will and the desire to continue the missions of the Federation to share, defend and transmit the values of bullfight in all its ethics, authenticity and integrity.
