Let's go to San Fermin in Pamplona!

2019-06-26

Every year from 6 to 14 July, it is time for the Sanfermines in Pamplona.

The so-called "chupinazo" is the starting signal, the city weaks up for a whole week of festivities and thousands of people from all over the world colour the city in red and white. The streets change for a few days into a place of brotherhood, joy and friendliness with music everywhere. a few minutes before minutes before the bulls start running after the people "los mozos", is the only moment of the day when it´s silenc. The party continues with the" caldico", "chocolate with churros", the procession, the giant figures with large heads, the aperitif, the bullfight, drinks, music and the fireworks. 

Origin of San Fermin

The San Fermín festival is organized in honor of Saint Firminus of Amiens, the son of a Roman senator. He was born in Pamplona in the third century. Firminus was baptized by Saint Saturninus and became a priest in Toulouse, France. He was later named the first bishop of Pamplona. He was beheaded during a visit to Amiens in the year 303, after which the Catholic Church declared him holy. The festival in honor of San Fermín originated in the Middle Ages. During that time, annual festivities were organized at the beginning of the summer. There was music, theater and dance performances, tournaments and even fireworks. The cow traders also came to town with their animals and the first bullfights were organized. The ceremonies held in honor of St Firminus actually took place on October 10, but they were moved to July 7 in 1591 to become part of the summer festivities.

Bulls

It took until the seventeenth century for bull races to come. Bull racing has been added to the festivities because St. Firminus is said to have died after being dragged through the streets by a group of bulls. 

Red & White

The parties continue until July 14.

From July 7, bull runs are held every morning at 8 a.m. At each" encierro", thousands of participants run for 6 fighting bulls through the streets of the old city center of Pamplona. The trail is 825 meters long in total. The running of the bulls ends in the arena of Pamplona, ​​the "Plaza de Toros". The bulls stay there until the afternoon when the bullfights start. During these seven days everybody is dressed in red and white and evenmore at the bull run. (with the exception of some tourist not respecting the traditions). The people dressed in green and holding poles are the bull herders. All participants appear early at the start of the encierro to sing and pray to Saint San Fermín. Running in front of a bull is a dangerous sport and several people are injured every year. Sometimes there are deaths too. Since 1922 a total of 15 men have died during the running of the bulls, the most recent death being in 2009.

Sing together loudly!

The San Fermín festival closes annually on July 14 at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. The audience then sing the final song "El Pobre de Mí" in the square. The mayor then closes the festival. Everyone lights a candle and takes off the red handkerchiefs. The festival is then officially closed with a large firework display above the town hall. 

Do you want to expercience San Fermin? Watch this video! 

(Source:https://www.reisroutes.be/blog/noord-spanje/san-fermin-pamplona/)

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