On July 7, San Fermín is celebrated in Spain and with it begins the first running of the bulls of the Pamplona festivities, the Sanfermines. It is a party that brings together hundreds of thousands of people and is international in scope.
Los Sanfermines are a festival celebrated annually in Pamplona, Spain. It begins at noon on July 6 and ends at midnight on July 14.
On July 6, the offering is made to the saint and the festivities begin with the traditional chupinazo. This festival is known internationally thanks, among others, to Hemingwaywho immortalized the celebration in his work ‘The sun also rises’.
During the following days and until July 14, a bull run takes place at 8:00 a.m. A group of bulls and some halters are released through a closed circuit with a fence inside the city from Pamplona that ends in the bullring.
Both locals and tourists participate in this event in which they run in front of the bulls. Today the confinement with the bulls from the La Palmosilla cattle ranch in Cádiz. During the afternoons there is a bullfight in that same square.
On the last day, July 14, and to close the celebrations, the traditional “Pobre de mi” is sung to the saint.
Origin of the Sanfermines, they were not always celebrated on July 7
The legend of San Fermin It originated in the 11th century in the French city of Amiens, which was then the capital of the Picardy region. Later, this legend reached the city of Pamplona, where San Fermín became a figure of devotion for the local population.
Legend has it that there was a senator named Firmus, who lived at the time of the Roman emperors Diocletian and Maximian, and who was the governor of the region. This senator had a son whom he named Fermín.
It is said that a priest named Honesto arrived in Roman Pamplona sent by Saint Saturninus to evangelize the city, and that Senator Firmo converted to Christianity along with his family. Fermín, his son, was taught by Honesto and began preaching in the surrounding area when he was 17 years old.
At age 24, Fermín was confirmed as bishop by Honorato, the prelate of Toulouse. At 31 years old, Fermín left to preach the Gospel in Gaul: first in Aquitaine, Auvergne and Anjou, and finally in Armens, where he achieved many conversions and was imprisoned.
On September 25, he suffered martyrdom and death by decapitation. That is why it was originally celebrated on this date to honor the saint.
The festival combines two medieval events:
- Trade fairs were held at the beginning of summer.
- Religious ceremonies in honor of the saint took place at the end of September and beginning of October. In 1591, they were moved to July to coincide with the fair, marking the beginning of the Sanfermines. In 1592, San Fermín week was already celebrated from July 6 to July 14.
Decalogue of the Sanfermines 2024, rules and recommendations
According to the press conference of the delegate councilor of Security and Citizen Coexistence, Endika Alonsothis material has been produced at the request of the consulates of the countries where most tourists usually come from. the Sanfermines.
The most recent data indicate that the 17 % of the people were foreigners, mostly from Franceand the 39 % coming from other national provinces, mainly from Gipuzkoa, Madrid y Bizkaia
Among the rules of the celebration, Pamplona has created a decalogue both about the bulls and coexistence these days in the city:
In the Chupinazo
The following may not be brought into the Plaza Consistorial and Plaza del Castillo: sticks, glass, drink cans or any other element that may cause damage directly or indirectly.
Before him risk of cuts. It is recommended not to access the Plaza Consistorial, Plaza del Castillo or the leisure areas of the Old Town with inappropriate footwear, such as flip-flops, sandals or similar.
Running of the bulls
Respect the rules. To minimize the risk, The security measures that regulate the confinement must be complied with with the utmost rigor. and the instructions of the personnel who supervise it must always be followed.
Exit the tour if instructed to do so. All participants in the race must follow the instructions of the Police and the technical staff and must leave the course if required to do so.
ADVERTISINGIt is not an act for minors. Those under 18 years of age will not be able to participate in the running of the bulls. From 07:15 a.m. until completion, they must not remain on their route.
Is left over forbidden and will be punished:
- Staying on the tour while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
- Wearing inappropriate clothing or footwear for running or carrying objects that are inconvenient for safety
- Summon the bulls or get their attention.
- Stop on the route in a way that makes it difficult for those running to run or take shelter.
- Use any means of recording images or sounds, including mobile phones, within the route or fence, without authorization.
- If you fall. Cover your head with your hands, crouch your body, and don’t get up until the herd passes.
in the heifers
Respect the animal, it is not a game. In the ‘heifers’ It is prohibited to grab, harass or mistreat the cattle and make their exit or withdrawal difficult.. Major injuries can occur, extreme caution.
In the city
Report sexist attacks against any woman. They will be relentlessly persecuted and punished. If you are a victim or witness one, call 092 or 112. As a victim, you will not be alone, helping you will be our priority (legal, psychological assistance and free accompaniment).
Pamplona is a safe city, but it is recommended to adopt preventive measures against robberies and theft:
ADVERTISING- Try to do without bags, fanny packs and wallets.
- It is recommended to carry personal documentation, mobile phone and cash in the front pockets of your pants and, if possible, in internal pockets.
- This type of criminal activity occurs preferably in places with large agglomerations.
- Don’t drink too much and, in any case, avoid falling asleep in public places.
First bull run of 2024, La Palmosilla livestock farm
He first running of the bulls of San Fermín 2024 It went without complications. The livestock bulls La Palmosilla they toured the 848 metros from the corrals of Santo Domingo to the bullring of Pamplona in a time of four minutes and seven seconds. Fortunately, there were no injuries from the bull horn.
Although there were no worrying incidents, in the final stretch, two bulls were left wandering around the square. The work of the benders It was key for the bulls to enter the pigsties, avoiding complications due to the large crowd of runners who were inciting the two animals.
As for the injured, this year’s running of the bulls, the first of the edition of 2024ended with six injured: five with multiple contusions and one with head trauma. The latter, a 46-year-old man, was stamped on the face and is currently under observation at the Navarra University Hospital.
Animal protests also present for bulls
The animal rights movement has protested this year during the beginning of the celebrations against the use of bulls in them. Although the bulls are not killed in the running of the bulls, it is done during the afternoons in the bullfights.
The general trend in Spain is notably towards reduction of bullfights and celebrations with bulls.
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