San Fermin Festival, Pamplona, Spain

Bull fight in San Fermin Festival, Pamplona, Spain

San Fermin is a festival of Pamplona, Spain celebrated every year from 12 o’clock noon of 6th July to midnight of 14th July. The key attraction of this festive is ‘running of the bulls’ which occurs from 7th July to 14th July on morning 8 am onwards. The festival is held in honor of Saint Fermin since 12th century onwards. The festival includes various trade fairs, fireworks, musical events, dance programs, theatres, and the bullfight which begin in 14th century. Previously, the San Fermin festival was held in the month of October; however due to bad climate at Pamplona since 1591 it changed to celebrate in the month of July.

 

Events of San Fermin Festival

San Fermin consists of some single day events and daily events. The single day events are Chupinazo, Riau-Riau, San Fermin Procession and Pobre de mi. The daily events are running of the bulls, Giants and big-heads parade, traditional sports, bullfight and fireworks. Chupinazo is the opening ceremony of San Fermin festival; where a rocket is being launched at noon 12 o’clock of 6th July. Riau-Riau is a mass procession with dance and music held in the honor or dedicated to Saint Fermin after Chupinazo. San Fermin Procession takes place on 7th July escorted with various street dancers, entertainers, musicians, Gigantes and various religious and political groups of processions. Pobre de mi is the ending meet of San Fermin festival on 14th July midnight 12 o’clock, with a sorrowful traditional song of Pobre de mi (Poor Me).

Running of the bulls is a daily event held between 7th to 14th July at morning 8 o’clock. More than hundred people participate with six bulls run in the narrow streets of Pamplona, for a half mile. Since 1925, 16 people were died during this event and hundreds were getting injure every year. As it is very excitement to watch, more in dangerous to play. Giants and big-heads parade occurs every day during San Fermin Festival; where giant figures of different races and places such as Asia, Africa, Europe and America were built and paraded by the members. 

The Giants and big-heads parade consists of eight giant figures, six kilikis, five big-heads, and six zaldikos. Bullfight is another attraction of this festival which occurs every afternoon from 7th to 14th July. The six bulls were driven from the morning bull-runs to a larger bull-ring. The bull-ring of Pamplona is 3rd largest in the world and getting a ticket here is very difficult. Apart from this, there are some traditional sports and fireworks which are also seeable. As a whole San Fermin Festival is one of the international festivals; where people from around the world visits to watch and enjoy the week long events.