Every year, of the July 6 to 14the city of Pamplonain the Navarra region in the north of Spainbecomes the epicenter of one of the most famous parties in the world: San Fermín. With a unique mixture of tradition, religiosity and adrenaline, celebrations attract hundreds of thousands of people around the world. But what are the keys to this celebration that transcends borders?
Tens of thousands of Juerguistas crowded this Dominfo the main square of Pamplona to celebrate the traditional fireworks burst of the “Chupinazo” that marks the beginning of the San Fermín Festival and its enclosures.
The “Chupinazo”: the beginning of the San Fermín party in Pamplona
Almost all, including the numerous foreign tourists who come to the event, were dressed in the traditional clothing of white pants and shirts with girdle and red scarf.
When the rocket was launched that started the official party, many soaked to each other with red or foamy wine.
San Fermín 2025: The “Chupinazo”, marked by the claim of Palestine Free against Israel
The culminating point of the controversial nine -day festival is the morning “enclosures”, which begin on Monday, when thousands of brave or reckless souls run to avoid six bulls that carry along a winding cobbled tour to the city’s bullring.
Although the cornadas are not rare, many more people suffer bruises due to falls while the spectators observe from balconies and wooden barricades installed along the route. The show is televised nationwide.
The rest of each day is dedicated to eating, drinking, dancing and enjoying cultural entertainment, including bullfights where animals that run in the morning are sacrificed by professional killers every afternoon.
The festival was internationally famous thanks to the 1926 classic novel by Ernest Hemingway, “Fiesta” (titled in English “The Sun Also Rises”), on US bohemians consumed in Europe.
The “Chupinazo”: the official beginning of San Fermín in Pamplona
The party begins July 6 at noon With the traditional “Chupinazo”a rocket that is thrown from the balcony of the City of Pamplona. It is the symbolic gun that marks the beginning of nine uninterrupted days of celebrations, music, processions and enclosures.
The enclosures: adrenaline to the flower of skin and tradition in Spain
The heart of the event is the Encierrosthat are held every day at 8:00 in the morning. In them, brave bulls They run next to hundreds of people for a journey of 875 meters to the bullring. The race, which lasts between 2 and 4 minutes, is both a tradition and a rite of courage, although it has also been subject to controversy due to animal risk and abuse.
In recent years, enclosures have left dozens of wounded each edition. Even so, its popularity does not decay.
The religious dimension of San Fermín
The feast honors San FermínPatron of Navarra. He July 7 It is the main day: a procession is carried out with the image of the saint, accompanied by authorities, bands and thousands of faithful dressed in white and red, the emblematic colors of the event.
In addition to the enclosures, San Fermín offers an immense cultural agenda: concerts, fireworks, traditional dances, giant and big heads, street shows and fairs. The party is total, uninterrupted and transversewhere tourists, local families and fans of all ages live together.
San Fermín and Los Encierros, a world phenomena
Since the writer Ernest Hemingway immortalized her in her novel Party (1926), San Fermín became a global event. Every year, visitors from more than 100 countries arrive. Pamplona, a city with less than 200,000 inhabitants, can receive More than one million people During the week.
San Fermín in figures
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8 enclosures With 6 bulls each.
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More than 2,000 runners Diaries.
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Hundreds of cultural and religious acts.
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Between 30 and 50 injured by editionon average.
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Participants from all over the world, especially USA, Australia and Argentina.
Source: Ambito
