The Pentecost feria ended this Monday evening in the Nîmes arenas. The closing bullfight led to a shower of rewards. Juan Leal cut off four ears, Solal three and Fernando Adrian two. The two French matadors left through the Consuls gate, we are delighted for them. Each in their own style, their commitment, their involvement and their desire to triumph undoubtedly deserved to be rewarded. But this balance sheet is far too generous so that these trophies are appreciated at their true value. This trend, prevalent throughout the feria, runs the risk of falling into caricature.
On the other hand the very good attendance at the arenas is indisputable. A “noy hay billetes” on Saturday evening, three big entries on Friday evening, Sunday evening and Monday morning. A never-before-seen entry for the Golden Cape novillada. This 2024 edition of Pentecost will most certainly be one of record attendance.
Status and credibility of arenas
On the tail side, purely bullfighting, mixed results as always or almost. Obviously the delicious fullness of Sébastien Castella’s bullfighting, the doors of the Consuls of Solal and Juan Leal, the beautiful promises of Rafi, even without a trophy, without forgetting the extra-terrestrial Diego Ventura on horseback.
On the front side, the sometimes limited presentation of certain bulls or the lack of character and transmission on the track for others. But, even more annoying, approximations or even errors in the presidency and misplaced generosity in the allocation of ears, hardly compatible with the status and credibility of 1st category arenas like those of Nîmes.
