On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of its creation and the 70th anniversary of the Nîmes feria, from June 1 to October 30, the Museum of bullfighting cultures unveils a temporary exhibition on the bullfighting festival. During a historical tour of photos, posters and objects, Lisa Laborie-Barrière, chief curator, allows aficionados and neophytes alike to immerse themselves in the place occupied by the feria in the hearts of the people of Nîmes.
The theme of bullfighting festivals is vast. The exhibition displays the ambition to evoke these different facets in Nîmes but also elsewhere, with the different ferias in France and around the world. This link between the party and the show around the bulls has existed since the 11th century, on the sidelines of the weddings and baptisms of the Spanish nobility. “From the start, we find this close relationship between celebration and bullfighting, even in Italy in the 16th century, especially during the carnival of Venice”says Lisa Laborie-Barrière.
The place highlights the playful dimension of festivals around the bull such as abrivados or encierros. The exhibition route is also designed for the youngest with works deliberately positioned at child’s height. Manipulative elements and a playbook have been installed for toddlers.
Date with history
It was in Seville that the ferias kicked off in 1843 in the form of an agricultural fair associated for the first time with shows around the bull over several days. In 1937 the first festivals of the bull are found in Nîmes.
The first real Nîmes feria claims to attract a large public to Nîmes during Pentecost. “It is a real desire to attract a large public, especially tourists, already at the time, especially in the choice of the date of the festivities placed at the time of Pentecost”launches the chief curator.
The feria of Nîmes was thus born, taking as an example that of Pamplona. “It’s the association of the professional and amateur side that is interesting, tinged with a popular background. Everyone is dressed the same, in white and a red headscarf with ritualized times, without social distinction,” she adds.
Nîmes is inspired by the ferias of Seville, Dax or Bayonne which are then considered as models. The carnivalesque side, borrowed from Valence, is found during the Pégoulade Nîmes which will take place this Wednesday. Many things have evolved in programming over the years. For example, there were representations of Carmen (a costume made by Christian Lacroix is on display, Ed) until the 90s.
Although subjective, the selection of exhibited works remains festive, joyful and colorful. You can find there the golden book of the Nîmes bullfighting circle from 1952, a wall of photographs of the Nîmes ferias since the 1950s. The chess set created by Eddy Pons also offers a fine tribute to the bullfighting fiesta.
The last section of the exhibition focuses on the popular festival. The party is everywhere, in the streets and in the bodegas, with its music, its conviviality, the drunkenness and its outbursts which are part of the event.
Yannick Pons
