Feria de Nîmes
Feria de Nîmes is a popular festival centered on bullfighting held each year in Nîmes, Southern France. In May 2012, the Feria celebrated its 60th anniversary.
Pentecost Feria
Many consider this to be a cruel, barbaric blood sport, in which the bull suffers severe stress and a slow, torturous death. A number of animal rights or animal welfare activist groups undertake anti-bullfighting actions in Spain and other countries. According to a poll conducted in Atlanta, U.S., in 2003, 46% of the Americans polled hated or strongly disliked bullfighting.[46] In Spanish, opposition to bullfighting is referred to as antitauromaquia, bullfighting is now banned in Catalunya.
It attracts over a million visitors for five or six days, from Wednesday before Pentecost to the Pentecost Monday . The whole city is concerned with this popular festival which bullfightings take place in the arenas and constitute the feast's culmination. The feria is composed:
- of the pégoulade, opening parade of the Feria with floats, bandas (moving orchestras) and a fireworks show. It takes place on Thursday or Wednesday before Pentecost;
- of novilladas or bullfights, twice a day at 11 am and at 5 or 6 pm
- of bodegas (outdoor nightclubs and bars ) until 4 am;
- of excitement throughout the city, mainly during the aperitif time;
- of concerts at the Square House plaza, at the Arena square and in gardens of the Fountain;
- of bull runs and abrivados in the streets of the city.
Harvest Feria
Since 1978 takes place the Harvest Fair, on the third Friday, Saturday and Sunday of September. They are said to be more spontaneous and family that its sister Pentecost.