The Alfons el Magnànim hall at the La Beneficencia Cultural Center in Valencia hosted the official presentation of the book "Utiel Taurino" on Monday, by Russian photographer Sasha Gusov. The publication, organized by the Provincial Council of Valencia, features black and white snapshots reflecting the author's perspective on bullfighting and popular culture, stemming from his visits to the La Utielana bullring.
The event was hosted by Jorge Casals, director of Aplausos magazine, and included participation from institutional representatives and figures from the bullfighting and medical fields. Attendees included Vicente Mompó, president of the Provincial Council of Valencia, who emphasized the institution's support for bullfighting; Ricardo Gabaldón, mayor of Utiel; Fernando Carbonell, senator, doctor for the bullrings of Utiel and Valencia, and a key promoter of the work; and Sasha Gusov himself.
Sasha Gusov, internationally recognized for his portraits of film and music stars, has a close connection with ballet, particularly the Bolshoi, and frequently collaborates with Aplausos magazine. His published works include titles such as Shooting Images (2001), Bolshoi Ballet (2017), and Michelangelo (2018), to which "Utiel Taurino" now proudly adds.
Through this publication, the Utiel City Council and the Provincial Council of Valencia reaffirm their commitment to promoting local culture, tradition, and heritage through high-caliber artistic projects.
