subject: The southern tradition of Férias [print this page] The southern tradition of Frias The southern tradition of Frias
In France, the word was used to call bull race contests. These events have been held in Gascon cities for about 40 years now. The ferias of Nimes are held during the long week end of Pentecost and grape harvests. Several ferias in France are very famous, in Beziers, Istres, Saint-Martin de Crau or Ales for example. For many years, huge gatherings are taking place with more than 1 million people from all over France and the world.
Beziers' ferias
Beziers is a French city located in the Hrault department, in the Languedoc-Roussillon, one of the sunniest regions in France. It is the 2nd biggest town in the department and the 4th in the region. Beziers is an ancient town, with a 2700-year-old history.
During the two first weeks in August, the city of Bziers offers great ferias with many activities including fireworks, street shows and entertainments, bullfights, and bull races. Bziers hosts a wine fair at the same time as the Fria.
Nimes' ferias
Nimes' feria is a popular event, based on bullfighting, held every year in Nimes.
Toulouse is the city where the first arrangements, which would later create Nimes' fria, are imagined. In 1951, the law was passed, allowing officially bull races in the cities of bullfighting tradition. It came as a precision to a French regulation about cruelty towards animals. To celebrate this victory, many cities in the south of France wished to host the Ferias. The fame of Nimes' roman amphitheatre was the major argument for Nimes to become the next organising city. Free racing would take place on Saturdays and 2 bullfights on Sundays. The first fria in Nimes took place from the 30th of May to the 2nd of June 1952. Since 1955, the city council has been organising the event.
It attracts until Whitsun more than 1 million spectators during 5 to 6 days. The whole town is involved in this big popular event, with bullfights taking place in the arenas as climax.
A feria can be broken down into several steps:
- The opening parade with floats, brass bands and fireworks, which takes place on the Thursday before Whitsun
- Bullfights, called corridas, twice a day at 11 am and 5 pm
- Folk balls around open air bars until 4 am
- Pre dinner drinks
- Concerts on "Maison Carre" square and in the park "Jardins de la Fontaine"
- Bull releases in the centre of the town
Bullfights, on this occasion, have been officially held since 1853, with or without killing the bulls in Roman arenas. Pentecost's feria is the first event in Europe, with a number of visitors reaching 1.2 million.
Located in the very heart of Languedoc Roussillon, these two cities have always been very popular with people looking for a perfect holiday house in a sunny area or to retire to.
