Cuenca Bullfighting Poster, Feria de San Julián 2016
Summary 20 August 2016
“Cristina Sánchez and El Juli Shine in a Triumphant Opening to San Julián”
The San Julián Fair in Cuenca began with great strength and brilliance. Cristina Sánchez and Julián López ‘El Juli’ were the leading names of the opening day, leaving an excellent impression on the crowd and setting a triumphant tone for the rest of the fair.
The Madrilenian matadora, a model of dedication and elegance, delivered a powerful performance, earning two ears from her first bull and taking a lap of honour after her second. She proved that her bullfighting remains alive, genuine and full of truth. El Juli, always composed and commanding, once again demonstrated his mastery with two performances of authority and depth, cutting an ear from each bull and winning the admiration of the Cuenca audience.
For his part, Enrique Ponce offered two classy and natural performances, leaving moments of great beauty with the muleta. He was applauded after his first bull and cut a well-deserved ear from his second following a display of technical skill and composure.
Festejo details:
Bullring of Cuenca. 1st of the San Julián Fair. Three-quarters full on a hot, sunny afternoon. Six bulls from Daniel Ruiz, well presented and manageable overall.
- Enrique Ponce: ovation with salute after warning, and one ear after warning.
- Cristina Sánchez: two ears and lap of honour.
- El Juli: one ear and one ear.
A superb afternoon to open the fair, with three matadors who filled the Cuenca arena with artistry and emotion, marking the beginning of a cycle full of promise.
Summary 21 August 2016 (morning)
“A colossal Perera spares Escarcha, a magnificent bull from José Vázquez.”
Cuenca Bullring. Second day of the San Julián Fair. Two-thirds full on a sunny and very hot morning. Six bulls from José Vázquez (the first as a substitute) were fought, all very well presented. Exceptional in the last third as a whole.
- Aitor Darío ‘El Gallo’: silence after warning, one ear and two ears.
- Marcos: two ears, one ear and silence.
Summary 21 August 2016 (afternoon)
“Triumphant start to the San Julián Fair with El Juli and Perera carried on shoulders”
Cuenca Bullring. Third day of the San Julián Fair. Just under three-quarters full on a sunny, hot afternoon. Six bulls from José Vázquez were fought, one of them as a substitute (4th bis), all well presented. An extraordinary bullfight overall. The sensational 2nd bull, named Escarcha, branded with the number 62, weighing 459 kg and born in July 2012, was pardoned.
- Sebastián Castella: one ear and ovation with greetings after warning.
- Miguel Ángel Perera: two symbolic ears and tail and one ear after warning.
- Cayetano: ovation with greetings and silence.
SUMMARY: 22 AUGUST 2016
“A Monumental Afternoon in Cuenca as Morante, Talavante and López Simón Leave Through the Puerta Grande”
The fourth bullfight of the San Julián Fair was a true festival of art, emotion and high-quality bullfighting. On a scorching afternoon, the stands of the Cuenca bullring vibrated with the mastery of three stars who elevated the occasion: Morante de la Puebla, Alejandro Talavante and Alberto López Simón — all three carried out through the Puerta Grande amidst cheers and waving handkerchiefs.
Morante once again captivated Cuenca with his graceful, rhythmic style. His first bull allowed him to display his full artistry with the cape and a muleta performance brimming with subtlety and elegance, earning him one ear. He repeated the success with his second bull after another classic and heartfelt display that deeply connected with the crowd.
Talavante, in turn, delivered an inspired and wholehearted afternoon. He cut one ear from his first bull after a performance of great depth, but reached his artistic peak with the fifth: a faena full of composure, courage and aesthetics that earned him two ears and a rousing ovation from the enraptured audience.
López Simón maintained the artistic standard with two serious and sincere performances. He cut one ear from each of his bulls after solid, emotive displays that confirmed his fine form.
Festejo details:
Bullring of Cuenca. 4th of the San Julián Fair. Three-quarters full on a sunny and very hot afternoon. Six bulls from Zalduendo, well presented and of good overall performance, with several standing out for their nobility and class in the final third.
- Morante de la Puebla: one ear and one ear after warning.
- Alejandro Talavante: one ear and two ears.
- López Simón: one ear and one ear.
A complete and high-flying afternoon, where art, bravery and inspiration came together to write a brilliant page in the history of the San Julián Fair.
SUMMARY: 23 AUGUST 2016
“Manzanares Conquers Cuenca in an Afternoon of Elegance and Dedication”
The fifth bullfight of the San Julián Fair saw José María Manzanares emerge as the great victor. The Alicante-born matador delivered a performance full of grace, poise and control, leaving through the Puerta Grande after cutting one ear from each of his bulls. His was a measured, pure and stylish display in which his smooth, rhythmic bullfighting once again won over the Cuenca crowd.
El Fandi, always supported by the public, brought spark and spectacle with his usual enthusiasm. He provided thrilling moments with the banderillas and performed two lively and crowd-pleasing faenas, earning an ear from his second bull after a joyful, well-executed display.
Miguel Ángel Perera once again showed firmness and calm bravery. He cut one ear from his first bull after a commanding performance, and was warmly applauded after his second, following another strong and committed effort.
Festejo details:
Bullring of Cuenca. 5th of the San Julián Fair. Slightly more than three-quarters full on a hot, sunny afternoon. Six bulls from Montalvo, well presented and of uneven behaviour, with some notable for their nobility and quality in the muleta.
- El Fandi: ovation with salute and one ear.
- José María Manzanares: one ear and one ear.
- Miguel Ángel Perera: one ear and ovation with salute after warning.
A well-rounded and varied afternoon that once again demonstrated the strong bond between Cuenca and its bullfighters, with Manzanares leading a day that shone for its class and emotion.
SUMMARY: 24 AUGUST
“Triumphant Finale of San Julián with a Brilliant Afternoon of Rejoneo”
The San Julián Fair in Cuenca came to a close with a splendid afternoon of rejoneo, where all three horsemen were carried out through the Puerta Grande amid cheers and waving handkerchiefs. It was a golden finale to a series that kept the flame of excitement and horseback bullfighting burning bright in its purest form.
Andy Cartagena opened the event with his trademark flair and showmanship. With poise and precision, he connected with the crowd from the first moments, sealing two vibrant performances that earned him an ear from each bull.
Sergio Galán once again showcased his classical style and composure, faithful to a concept of sober, balanced toreo. Both of his precise and harmonious performances were rewarded with an ear apiece, recognising his mastery and consistency.
Leonardo Hernández put the finishing touch to the afternoon with a commanding, high-intensity performance. His first bull allowed him to shine with brilliance, earning two ears, and he closed the fair with another committed faena that brought him a further ear — a triple triumph that crowned an excellent day of rejoneo.
Festejo details:
Bullring of Cuenca. 6th and final of the San Julián Fair. Three-quarters full on a sunny, very hot afternoon. Six bulls from Benítez Cubero, properly trimmed for rejones, well presented and of good general behaviour, with the outstanding fourth noted for its bravery and spirit.
- Andy Cartagena: one ear and one ear.
- Sergio Galán: one ear and one ear.
- Leonardo Hernández: two ears and one ear.
A joyful afternoon of pure horseback bullfighting, serving as a brilliant conclusion to a San Julián Fair marked by triumph and emotion in every one of its days.
Photo Gallery
San Julián Fair 2016
Images: Julio Palencia / Maxitoro
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