Victor Chabert
06:16, June 05, 2022
A major event in the south of France, the 70th edition of the Feria de Pentecôte in Nîmes in the Gard is taking place until June 6. Between celebrations and traditions, the Roman city and its ancient amphitheater, 20 centuries old, expect a record crowd of more than one million people.
Corridas, running of bulls in the streets, concerts and shows… For five days, the heart of the ancient Roman city of Gard will beat to the rhythm of its famous feria. Under the blue sky and the heat, more than a million visitors are expected in Nîmes. A year that could even break attendance records according to the organizers.
Cap on the 4th day of #Feria !
Saturday: Andalusian entertainment, abrivado, Feria en Scène…
And to end the evening, #concert of @Good_Hearer on the forecourt of @ArenesNimes_off
Complete program https://t.co/4GphdC3yM4Dominique Marck – City of Nîmes pic.twitter.com/Ln3h9dwVd4
— City of Nîmes (@nimes) June 4, 2022
The first edition of this feria was held in 1952. The decision was taken on the floor of a bar in the city by the bullfighting clubs of the Roman city. This year, the Pentecost Feria celebrates its 70th anniversary. A return with a complete and unrestricted program, after two difficult years due to Covid-19, which could attract more than a million people.
The epicenter of the feria: bullfighting
At the heart of the Feria, stand the arenas. The Nîmes amphitheater, dating from the first century, hosts eight bullfighting shows, seven bullfights, including one Portuguese and one on horseback, but also a Camargue race. If these traditions are sometimes decried, in Nîmes, the programming seems to be the pride of the organizers and enthusiasts. The most prestigious bullfighters in the world are gathered in “Little Rome” during these five days. We can cite the Sevillian Morante de la Puebla, the Madrilenian El Juli, the Peruvian Andres Roca Rey, the French star of bullfighting on horseback Léa Vicens, or even the Nîmes El Rafi or the Arlesian Juan Leal.
When asked, a Nîmes man summarizes: “It’s above all a moment of celebration, with traditions that last from year to year, where all socio-cultural categories mix. We meet in the arenas or in the bodegas, to enjoy these few days before summer”.
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