Pamplon is one of the most ancient cities in Spain, where the San Fermin festival takes place. At first, the holiday was of a religious nature, but over time it turned into a colorful folk festivities of an entertaining nature. Locals dress up in traditional Basque clothes: white shirts and trousers with a red scarf at the belt, red berets. The townspeople fill the municipal square in the morning to celebrate the Spanish festival with the bulls.
San Fermin Festival: Historical Background
The famous Spanish celebration of San Fermin is held in the capital of the Navarra region in northern Spain. The event takes place annually from 6 to 14 July. The festival gained popularity thanks to the "ensierro" - the races of bulls through the streets of the city, when the most courageous townspeople run ahead of enraged cloven-hoofed animals. The end of the action takes place in the bullring.
The origins of the festival go back to the 13th century. The event is dedicated to Saint Fermin (Fiesta of San Fermin) - the bishop who saved the city from the plague epidemic. Catholics celebrate the feast of Saint Fermin in October, but since the rainy season in Spain in autumn, in 1591, by decree of the bishop, the festival was postponed to July. Since then, every year in Pamplona during this period, church processions and entertainment events were held - fairs and bullfights.
The San Fermin Festival begins at noon with the launch of an El Chupaniso rocket from the city hall of Pamplona into the sky, signaling the start of the celebration. The councilor of the mayor's office proclaims in two languages: "Glory to Saint Fermin!" After him, the crowd repeats the greeting and begins to pour the sparkling wine brought over each other.
The town is home to about 200 thousand inhabitants, but on a holiday there is a religious mass, and about 2.5 million spectators from all over the world gather on the streets.
Guests will enjoy musical concerts and performances, performances by "peñas" - musical troupes playing old instruments, fireworks and mask parades. There are so many celebrants that some have to spend the night on the streets.
One of the inalienable traditions of the festival is the processions along the Riau-Riau street. This part takes place on the first day of the solemn event, when for several hours the participants in the procession sing and dance continuously.
It is worth noting that the Spanish fighting bull is an animal of a special breed that has been bred for several centuries. Scientists have achieved that the animal became as aggressive as possible and rushed to any movement. Such a bull will never retreat and will always attack the one who stands in the way.
When the bulls are released, they see a crowd of angry people in front of them, which drives them into a state of fury. Running from the bulls is a very dangerous undertaking, because many visitors take part in the races, who do not know the streets and are drunk.
Bull run
Spectacular mass races take place every day throughout the San Fermin festival. Every day, citizens and guests of the city at 6.30 are roused by the music of the orchestra. The bulls are delivered to the city in advance, then they are placed in a special paddock located in one of the districts of Pamplona.
Previously, artiodactyls were immediately driven to the bullring, but now bulls are released into narrow fenced streets at 8 am, along which they fly into the arena.
Those who decided to test their strength, to show courage and courage, run ahead of the artiodactyls. The adrenaline rush is overwhelming, because the length of the race reaches 849 meters and ends right at the arena. The race lasts on average up to three minutes.
Each of the six bulls participating in the races weighs approximately 3.5 tons.
The competitor against the bull has only one weapon - a folded newspaper as a red herring. Thus, the runners switch the attention of the enraged animal, which is targeting them or their companions, they get the opportunity to slip away from danger.
The bullfight begins in the early evening. Before it begins, an "apartment" takes place: young artiodactyls with clipped horns are brought into the arena, which chase the brave daredevils.
Bullfighting has an important feature - a feast occurs after every third beaten bull. After 19.00, bullfighting fans enjoy a picnic, so what happens in the arena later is not watched by many spectators. That is why matadors do not express much desire to perform in Pamplona.
Interesting facts about San Fermin
| Facts | detailed information |
|---|---|
| Previously, there was no running from the bulls, but after them | Previously, there was no special arena for bullfighting, so it was necessary to drive the bulls to the square. Young boys on horseback guided the bulls with sticks. It was only in the 19th century that it was decided to run ahead. |
| Launching Chupinaso is similar to taking off an airplane | The length of the rocket launched into the sky is 1.2 meters, and its sound resembles the roar of an airplane. |
| The secret of red | The first version is ecclesiastical, according to which the priests dressed in red to honor the martyrs. The second version explains that red is the color of the battle or the flag of Pamplona. |
| Hemingway was the first to tell the world about the holiday with the bulls | Ernest Hemingway was the first to tell the world about the celebration in the legendary work The Sun Also Rises, which is based on the writer's personal stay at the celebration in Pamplona. |
| Fountain jump | This tradition has arisen quite recently. Foreigners are considered its founders. They were the first to climb the Santa Cecilla fountain and jump from it. |
Holiday Emergencies
In 2021, 11 people were injured on the first day of the race alone. According to press services, one of the participants was wounded in the armpit, the other in the groin, the rest of the injuries were minor.
In 2021, as part of the annual fiesta, one participant was hospitalized with a head injury.
In 2021, four participants suffered from bulls. A native of Ireland with a serious condition and two Americans with less serious injuries were taken to the hospital. Also, a resident of Navarra, who received moderate injuries, suffered from the angry bulls.
Despite the high probability of falling under the hooves of an animal or getting injured in another way, there are no fewer people willing to participate. Those who remain safe and sound always prepare for the final race.
Conclusion
The Spanish bull festival San Fermin is a dangerous event, but this is what attracts participants and spectators to the town of Pamplon. In July 2021, guests from all over the world will gather again for another dose of adrenaline.
