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With a cry of “Viva San Fermin,” a young woman lights the “chupinazo” firework from the Consistorial House kicking of this year’s San Fermin running of the bulls.
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The Spanish northeastern province of Navarre is expected to grow from a population of 200,000 to a million this week as the festival of San Fermin begins in a wash of wine, firecrackers, music and dance.
Immortalized in the writings of Ernest Hemingway in 1926, daredevils from across the world arrive Friday morning for the first of eight days of bull runs, which travel almost 3,000 feet around Pamplona’s crowded streets to the plaza’s bull ring.
"To San Fermin, we ask, as our patron, to guide us in the confinement giving us his blessing," participants said in prayer before the statue of the honored saint, preparing for what may be the most dangerous endeavor they’ve ever undertaken.
Through a survey conducted by city officials, only 82 percent of the 771 participants were deemed “perfect runners.” The survey continued to show that 46 percent of the runners were arriving for their first run, 59 percent were veterans from 2015, 65 percent from 2014 and 56 percent from 2013. Most stated that they consider this event an experience and nothing more. However, 28 percent stated they are habitual bull runners.
Like bullfights throughout the country, the age-old custom has received serious backlash from the animal rights community in Spain, which calls for the complete cessation of the festivals. Following the morning run, bulls are taken and slaughtered in the arena at 6 p.m. every night. In defense of the tradition, the meat is distributed to the poor. However, many denounce the tradition as animal cruelty.
Men and women gathered Wednesday outside of the city’s municipal building, bedazzled in red sparkles and paint, crowned with horns, with the words “Stop Bullfights” lettered across their bare chests and armed with signs representing People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA.
Others have protested the high amount of sexual violence which occurs there every year. The city that opens its arms to millions of visitors for the eight-day festival is also home to over 500 cases of sexual assault. An incident involving five men and one 18-year-old girl is still awaiting legal justice — the trial is tentatively scheduled for October.
To ensure the safety of all participants and festival goers, the National Police have deployed 3,500 officers to monitor and manage the event. Their presence is intended to work as a deterrent to any potential aggressors, allowing all to enjoy the holiday peacefully.
In addition to the running of the bulls, vendors, musicians, puppeteers, dancers, street performers and theater groups will be providing entertainment on every street corner.
A total of 425 acts are scheduled for the festival, with 27 concerts and activities dedicated to children and family audiences. Party-goers can visit these performances in five locations, the Plaza del Castillo, The Plaza Compañia, the Plaza de los Fueros, the Paseo Sarasate and the Plaza de la Cruz.
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