this afternoon’s rejoneo celebration marks the opening of one of the most expansive bonfire expos in recent memory. it begins with the ongoing 25-year milestone of benidorm’s andy cartagena, whose steady rise has long defined a distinctive style in the rejoneo ranks. since that memorable morning in nimes, this young rider has built a consistent record of success, earning a reputation that sets him apart even among the era’s top riders like the domecq brothers, pablo hermoso de mendoza, and diego ventura. he has often been a voice for his country, and aclante has witnessed his afternoons of triumph, including memorable moments with pericalvo. throughout a career punctuated by resilience, he has confronted setbacks such as a knee injury that threatened continuity, while also extending his reach beyond spain with notable campaigns in france, portugal, and mexico.
joining him this afternoon in the fermín bohórquez–led engagement are lea vicens, a renowned French figure whose arena triumphs have grown into a prominent presence on san isidro’s loop. this appearance in the plaza de españa accompanies the rising narrative of her public moments on destacou shoulders in past seasons, echoing the ascent of guillermo hermoso de mendoza who, early in his career, seized major milestones and opened doors at seville’s puerta del príncipe.
the fire cycle continues on the 21st and 22nd with free, hands-on lessons for the public, hinting at a future rooted in training and performance. on the 20th, bulls from the aida jovani stable will feature cid de maría (guadalajara bullfighting school), daniel encinas (alicante), roberto martín (zaragoza), alejandro toya (alicante), joaquín garcía (alicante), and javier cuartero (alicante) in the arena, while on the 21st, animals from el parralejo will be challenged by ángel delgado (úbeda), nek romero (valencia), angelín (alicante), javier poley (huesca), kevin alcolado (alicante), and miguel losana (toledo).
a firework fair to return to the bonfires
the following day brings a lineup of fuente ymbro bulls, celebrated for recent arena victories, paired with a fresh blend of talent. ginés marín, already making a mark with bold openings, stands at the forefront of a madrid-based trio that also includes miguel ángel perera and antonio ferrera, with several from extremeña stock. perera aims to sustain a leading role, ferrera remains a steady force from one season to the next, and the group continues to push the boundaries in the same arena that has tested them before.
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morante de la puebla and rocas rey headline three days of intense action. on the 23rd, alicante’s own will take the stage in a full engagement featuring the ever-popular david fandi el fandi and the formidable roca rey, who has emerged as a central figure in the matador generation. recent victories across manzanares, granada, and nimes suggest momentum, though fans in alicante know the sport’s rhythm can shift quickly. the pair will return twice, with saint’s day being alternated by two sevillians: pablo aguado and the local favorite from alicante, who electrified crowds with a decisive display, while morante de la puebla makes a second appearance, reinforcing his seasoned mastery and artistic approach to the bullfight.
a licante bull fair: bonfires 2022 poster and dates
on the 25th, the roster welcomes talavant, returning after a three-year break, with tomás rufo stepping back into the ring to remind audiences of his personal interpretation and courage. a new chapter opens with the eight-month arc in sevilla and madrid, a showcase of his continued development. he stands among the last great figures of cúchares art, and his presence graces a poster that reflects the event’s weight. the contestants include victoriano del río, álvaro núñez, and juan pedro domecq.
the fair will culminate with horse bullfighting featuring zacarías moreno, an act that reintroduces a strong alicante influence. borja ximelis, who studied in the levantine capital and appeared in 2018, adds to the lineup, while santiago esplá needs no introduction with his distinguished surname and a debut paseo in alicante that stirs local excitement. borja escudero, another notable matador, makes his castoreño debut before the same crowd that enjoyed his father ramón’s elegant style. the season’s conclusion hints at a bright future for alicante bullfighting amid the hogueras celebrations.