The Plaza de Toros on Avenida de Vilches will host a top-tier bullfighting event featuring bulls from the Conde de Mayalde ranch. The matadors facing the bulls will be José María Manzanares, Alejandro Talavante, and Andrés Roca Rey, creating a highly anticipated lineup.
The Councilor for Major Festivals, Eloísa Cabrera, emphasized the importance of this event, highlighting the prominence of the Virgen del Mar and reaffirming the roots of Almería's residents. The councilor recalled that the Almería Fair reflects the city's identity and that honoring the patron saint is crucial for preserving its traditions.
This year's celebration holds special significance as it coincides with the 75th Anniversary of the Canonical Coronation of the Virgen del Mar and the 525th anniversary of the appearance of her image. The City Council has reaffirmed its commitment to the Brotherhood and initiatives that enhance this commemoration.
The connection between the patron saint and bullfighting is also embodied in the traditional Capote de Paseo de la Virgen del Mar, annually awarded to the winner of the Bullfighting Fair. This year, the prestigious award will be presented to bullfighter Pablo Aguado on August 28th.
José Olivencia, representative of Funtausa, the company managing the bullfighting events, expressed their goal to restore the prestige of the Almería Bullfighting Fair. He noted that a tribute bullfight to the patron saint was essential and shared his satisfaction with public response, with over 2,700 season tickets sold, anticipating a total of 3,000.
The senior brother of the Brotherhood of the Virgen del Mar, Jorge Juan Fernández Compán, thanked the promoting company for the initiative, calling it a recognition of the historical relationship between the Patron Saint and bullfighting. He expressed hope that this bullfight will become an annual tradition and announced a floral offering by the participants at the Sanctuary.
Fernández Compán recalled that Almería is one of the few Spanish capitals whose major festivals are dedicated to its patron saint, a uniqueness that, in his view, should remain the central focus of the fair and Almerian traditions.
