Thousands of revelers sprayed each other with sparkling wine and set off firecrackers yesterday to kick-start Spain’s most famous fiesta, the San Fermin bull-running festival.
Thousands of people gathered in the Pamplona, Spain Town Hall Square, wave their red handkerchiefs during the traditional Chupinazo, Image credit
The highly contentious event, that includes the cruel and dangerous daily bull-run through the narrow streets of the town center, is a major draw for tourists from all over the world.
Arranged to receive this water spurt, a group of young people celebrates the beginning of San Fermines, Image credit
The Encierro involves running in front of bulls down an 825-metre (0.51 mile) stretch of cobbled streets of a section of the old town of Pamplona. The biggest day is 7 July, when thousands of people accompany the effigy of Saint Fermin along the streets of Pamplona, along with dancers and street entertainers, such as carnival giants.
Festejo of chupinazo from the balconies of Pamplona, Image credit
The encierro begins with the letting off of two rockets, the cohetes. One firecracker announces the release of the bulls from their corral, and a second firecracker signals that the last bull has left the corral.
A true rain of digging and red has fallen on the people who have met to celebrate chupinazo, Image credit
Crowds packed the town-hall square, most dressed in white shirts and trousers and donning red handkerchiefs, the traditional garb of the festival.
Bathing in wine? , Image credit
The launch of the skyrocket, known as the “chupinazo,” began the nine-day fiesta that was popularized internationally by Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel “The Sun Also Rises” and centers around the daily running of the bulls.
From crowd surfing to crowd jumping, revelers go airborne during the San Fermin fiestas in Pamplona, Spain, Image credit
The first bull run is set to take place today and from here on everyday till July 14, it is also broadcast live on many televisions. Injuries are common as the crowds strive to keep ahead of the bulls and overcrowding has made the runs extremely dangerous.
There’s plenty of daredevil activities to entertain revelers before the running of the bulls, Image credit
Since records began in 1924, 13 people have been killed. The last fatality, a 22-year-old American, was gored to death in 1995.
Revelers drink wine during the opening day, or “Chupinazo,” of the San Fermin, Image credit
A day before the start, hundreds of members of the Ethical Treatment of Animals, a U.S-based international animal rights group, ran nearly naked through the streets of Pamplona/Iruna on Thursday with their bodies painted with slogans like ‘Torture isn’t culture,’ and ‘Bulls yes! Bullfighters no!‘, calling for an end to bullfighting.
Personally, I feel bad for the bulls mutilated by the festivities , but those of you who enjoy it and are not in Spain to experience it live, can view it on TV.
Image credit
Source: IHT
