Azpeitia bullfighting fair: Tradition and personality

Of all the fairs on the calendar, Azpeitia may be the most peculiar. First of all, because of its location, in the Urola valley, at the foot of the Izarraitz massif, where its quaint bullring is located, dating from 1903 and where the main figures of bullfighting have paraded throughout its more than a century-old history.

Watching bullfights in this town in Guipúzcoa is unparalleled, but… in addition to its geographical location, what makes the San Ignacio Fair different from the rest? Fundamentally, its composition. The Bullfighting Commission, with Joxin Iriarte at the helm, hires emerging bullfighters, some even personal bets of the organization, who have the opportunity to take the stage in such a suggestive showcase. Paco Ureña or Alberto Aguilar, to name a couple of cases, are examples of bullfighters who relaunched their career in the Azpeitia box.

Another aspect that distinguishes and dignifies this subscription is the bull. The raw material is carefully selected, so that, normally, the three ranches that make up the cycle usually belong to different breeds, and of course, to unconventional herds, those that are not frequently seen in the capital’s series.

As for the figures, in Azpeitia they appear with restraint. Because of the budget of the series and the philosophy of the programming. One or two each season, and almost never in the same combination, so that the posters look nothing like those offered in other squares. Here lies the personality and interest that Azpeitia arouses among fans every year. To see in its three thousand and a few seats something different and exclusive.

And finally, the altruistic character of the fair, as every year, the Commission distributes the benefits of it among different entities and non-profit associations, such as Caritas or the Servants of Mary. Last year for example, they were 13,000 euros (a not insignificant amount) the amount of the check that the organizers extended to different benefactor societies.

After so much argument, it’s time to break down the 2024 posters, which feature ranches of the bullfighting taste like Murteira Grave, or bastions of the Santa Coloma breed, such as Ana Romero. Morante is announced, after his brilliant presentation a couple of seasons ago, Daniel Luque, a great idol of Azpeitia, will make two afternoons the parade, and Borja Jiménez, a great winner of San Isidro, will also be seen by the “saningnacios”, just like another reference of the season, Juan Ortega.

A classic like Diego Urdiales or the Venezuelan Colombo, who opened the Big Door in the last edition, are others of the privileged ones to tread the ashen Guipuzcoan ring in this edition. The French Clemente or the Murcian Jorge Martínez are the bets of the Commission. And they are sure not to let down those who have set their sights on them. From July 31 to August 2 you have an appointment with a unique fair, with a different atmosphere and an unbeatable environment. Dare to discover it!