Join us in Spain for a visual or two of Pamplona’s renowned Fiesta de San Fermin, which people know about around the globe for its Running of the Bulls through the historic heart of the city for eight full days starting July 7. Can you imagine accidentally entering town only to discover the insanity of what you’d be surrounded by for a week? The event itself was apparently made famous by Ernest Hermingway’s 1926 novel ‘The Sun Also Rises.’
While there’s clearly a glittery aspect of the festival for some, you can imagine that animal rights groups and others condemn the event openly. For many, it’s the adrenalin rush despite its danger and despite the fact that many will argue, it just ‘ain’t great for the bulls.’
Did I mention the gory part? A little background:
- Chupinazo—This kicked things off on July 6 with a fireworks rocket which was launched from the Pamplona city hall balcony, the official inauguration of the event so to speak. So many say that the event has not changed much since the 1800s, except the city has now replaced glass wine bottles with cups made out of cardbox in order to prevent any cuts and accidents among the audience and tourists.
- “Riau-riau”—The Riau Riau dance and song were officially in the San Fermin program from 1914 until 1991. It has been now revived by popular consensus in 2012 for the first time since then – how cool is that? The waltz dance was also part of the July 6 Chupinazo ritual event.
- Procession—The procession takes place on the second day, this year, July 7 in the morning. The church of San Lorenzo is in charge of this sector of the festivities and an entourage of religious representatives walk among the jam-packed crowd on the streets holding the figure of Saint Fermin. The ecclesiastical figures still wear the elaborate costumes per the tradition.
- Corrida or Running of the Bulls—Six bulls are released on Pamplona’s streets every morning until July 14th. Then, the crowd that runs the streets along with the bulls are to lead the animals into the bull ring. The most exciting part of the entire event and takes less than three minutes. Although the event is extremely dangerous, since 1925, only 15 people have been killed, which I’m sure is enough to keep some people away.
- Bullfight—Many people have moral objections to this part of San Fermin. As a Spanish tradition, every afternoon one of the bulls is killed during the session. Despite the brutality, Hemingway described this as an event “all for sport” and “all for pleasure.” Animal rights groups disagree with Hemingway.
And, well, some people even find the event romantic.
Photo credits in order of appearance: theblondabroad on Instagram, RafaRivas AFP Getty, IvanAguinago/AP and AFP/Getty.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
